Swarna Mallawarachchi the award-winning Sri Lankan film

Cinema of Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan cinema encompasses the films made in Sri Lanka. It is a fledgling industry that has struggled to find a footing since its inauguration in 1947 with Kadawunu Poronduwa produced by S.M.Nayagam of Chitra Kala Movietone.Sri Lankan films are usually made in the Sinhalese language, the...

 actress, also known as the "Golden star of Sinhalese cinema". She began her acting career whilst still a schoolgirl - starring in the 1966 released Sinhalese film Sath Samudura

Sath Samudura

Sath Samudura is a landmark Sri Lankan film directed by professor Siri Gunasinghe and released in 1967. This film was critically acclaimed and is considered a major work in Sri Lankan cinema....

directed by Dr.Siri Gunasinghe. During a career that spans over 40 years, Swarna has won the 'Best Actress Award' 19 times.

Biography

Swarna left Sri Lankan cinema for a brief period in the 70's to live abroad. When she returned after a four year absence there was an influx of new actresses. Swarna accepted supporting roles from directors during this period however obtained the Best Actress awards for these roles during these years. A hint at the excellence of her talent. Swarna Mallawarachchi holds the highest number of 'Best Actress' awards in Sri Lanka.

In her off-screen life, Swarna is an example of the roles she portrays on-screen. A strong, independent woman who has achieved the best in life for herself and her family. She was appointed the UNHCR ambassador for women's rights in Sri Lanka since 2004.

Swarna's truly unique role as an actress is evident in films such as Vasantha Obeysekera's Dadayama (The Hunt) and Kadapathaka Chayava (Reflections in the Mirror), Dharmasiri Bandaranayake's Suddhilage Kathawa (The Story of Suddhi) and Bava Duka / Bava Karma, Sumithra Peries' Sagara Jalaya (Letter Written in the Sand) and Prasanna Vithanage's Anantha Rathriya (Dark Night of the Soul).

Filmography

Year	Film title	Director	Role	Other notes
1966	Sath Samudura	Siri Gunasinghe
1967	Hanthane Kathawa

• Sath Samudura (1966)
• Hanthane Kathawa (1967)
• Maldeniya Simiyon
• Anjana
• Sinhabahu
• Hansa Vilak
• Ridi Nimnaya(1982)
• Yahalu Yeheli (1982)
• Biththi Hathara (1982)
• Dadayama (1984)
• Maya (1984)
• Suddilage Kathawa (1985)
• Kadapathaka Chaya
• Sagara Jalaya (1988)
• Ayoma
• Madara Parasathu
• Mee Haraka
• Bawa Duka (1997)
• Bawa Karma (1998)
• Channa Kinnari(1998)
• Anantha Rathriya (2001)

Awards

• 1981 Presidential Awards - Best Actress - Hansa Vilak
• 1982 OCIC Awards - Best Actress - Ridi Nimnaya/Biththi Hathara/Yahalu Yeheli
• 1983 Sarasaviya Awards - Best Actress - Dadayama
• 1983 OCIC Awards - Best Actress - Dadayama
• 1984 OCIC Awards - Best Actress - Maya
• 1985 OCIC Awards - Best Actress - Suddilage Kathawa
• 1985 Sarasaviya Awards - Best Actress - Suddilage Kathawa
• 1986 Presidential Awards - Best Actress
• 1988 Swarna Sanka Awards - Best Actress - Sagara Jalaya
• 1988 Sarasaviya Awards - Best Actress - Sagara Jalaya
• 1988 OCIC Awards - Best Actress - Sagara Jalaya
• 1998 OCIC Awards - Best Actress - Channa Kinnari
• 1989 Swarna Sanka Awards - Best Actress - Kadapathaka Chaya
• 1989 OCIC Awards - Best Actress - Kadapathaka Chaya
• 1997 OCIC Awards - Best Actress - Bawa Duka
• 1997 Sarasaviya Awards - Best Actress - Bawa Duka
• 1997 Presidential Awards - Best Actress - Bawa Duka
• 1998 Presidential Awards - Best Actress - Channa Kinnari
• 1998 Sarasaviya Awards - Best Actress - Channa Kinnari
• 2001 OCIC Awards - Best Actress - Anantha Rathriya

• Lifetime Achievement Awards - Ranathisara
• Bangladesh Film Development Board Award
• Zonta Woman of the Year Award
• Sanpac Felicitation Award

External links

• Swarna Mallawarachchi's Biography in Sinhala Cinema Database
• Official Website - National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka
• Official Website of Lester James Peries in association with Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka
• Swarna Mallawarachchi in Sinhala