Jackson Anthony

Jackson Anthony is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema. Though he has become popular from his career as an actor (in Television Stage and Cinema). He has appeared before the public in versatile forms; director, producer, singer, screenwriter, Television host, novelist and lyricist.

While he's recognized as "Jackson" by many people, his parents used to call him "Malsi". He received his primary education at Hapugoda Junior School and St. Mary's College in Bandarawela and later entered Galahitiyawa Central College in Ganemulla. For higher education he attended the University of Colombo where he first obtained an honors degree in Sinhala Language and Literature and did his Master’s degree in Mass media at University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

Jackson Anthony was the Winner of the Peoples’ award for the best artist at the Awards Ceremony of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) 2007. Currently, Jackson Anthony serves as the Creative Director of Swarnavahini Television Channel. He is acclaimed for his concept and presentation of ‘Maha Sinhalaye Vansa Kathawa’ (translated as “The Chronicle of the Great Sinhalese”) telecast through Swarnavahini channel for several years. With many erudite historians brought together, this probably became a most comprehensive program dedicated to the History of Sri Lanka. Other popular programs created by him include exploratory programs like “Ganga dige”(an exploration of the water bodies in the island) and “Salang hanthe”(a travel program revealing the history and civilization of Lesotho).

He has also directed several Sri Lankan films. His directorial debut, ‘Julietge bhumikawa’ won him the award for the Most Promising Director at the Critics’ Awards Ceremony. Paradeesaya was another film directed by him. His direction Aba, allegedly an expensive movie have been made in Sri Lanka. It is based on the legend of King Pandukabhaya; a story which took place more than 2300 years ago. Jackson’s son Sajith Anuttara will play the role of the young Pandukabhaya.

"Esala Kaluwara" is the only teledrama directed by him and is based on a story that addresses a realistic approaches to the roots and causes of the ethnic problem in Sri Lanka.

His performances in stage plays such as Marsad, Madura Jawanika, Loma Hansa, Dhawala Beeshana, Ath, Mora and Tharawo Igilethi brought him islandwide recognition in the field of cinema. In 1993 he came to film industry. Having acted in Guru Gedara, Chitti, Ayoma and Loku Duwa, in his initial days, Jackson went on to prove his status in films like Bawa Duka, Bawa Karma, Gini Awi Saha Gini Keli, Aswesuma, Agni Dahaya, Sooriya Arana, Mille Soya and Randiya Dahara. In the mean time he came to terms with television as well. 

These fields helped him establish his own identity as an actor. He is also admired for his memorable performances in the roles of arrogant, assertive and impertinent characters.Sri Lanka's leading planter Dinal Hilary Samerenayaka was acting as a mentor to Anthony. He also collaborated with Jayantha Chandrasiri, a director in modern Sri Lankan cinema and television. In 2004, under the direction of the Sri Lankan director and writer, Somaratne Dissanayanke, he took up a leading role in the film, Sooriya Arana in which he brought to life the role of an egocentric hunter who is compelled to vainly battle with the subtlety of Buddhist tradition both socially and spiritually. 

This bagged him awards at many of the local Award ceremonies. During his acting career he has garnered more than 20 Best Actor Awards at local award ceremonies such as Sarasavi Awards, Presidential Awards and OCIC Awards.