While at college, Jayamanne's teachers recognised his love of photography and assigned him to handle the cinema and audio visual equipment in the college. Later he joined the Radio & Electronics Laboratory at
Kotahena. In 1962, he joined Vijaya Film Studios and Laboratories of Cinemas Limited, at Hendala,
Wattala. In 1962 he started his career as an assistant cameraman at the Vijaya Studios. As an assistant cameraman and camera-unit in-charge he worked on over 40 feature films, both domestic and international. This gave him the opportunity to work under many
cinematographers and to study film laboratory techniques, sound studio work, film editing,
production designing and
production management.
Professional career While working at Vijaya Studios, Jayamanne met Sri Lankan director
Titus Thotawatta. In 1970, he left Vijaya to join Thotawatta in the production of
Haralaksaya, marking his debut as Director of Cinematography. Jayamanne continued to work as Thotawatta's principle cinematographer through the latter's final film
Handaya. Jayamanne was employed by many other veteran directors, and became a favourite of new directors for their debut projects. His contribution to the films of
Dharmasiri Bandaranayake,
Vasantha Obeysekera and Parakrama Niriella were highly acclaimed by cinema critics and Journalists of Sri Lanka. In 1972, when the
State Film Corporation called for registration of cinema technicians, Jayamanne registered as film director, script writer,
cinematographer, film editor and
production manager. He is the only person in Sri Lanka to have been registered in five categories. == Instructor==