Swarna Mallawarachchi (born 1 August 1948: Sinhala: ස්වර්ණා මල්ලවාරච්චි), is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema. Often known as the "Golden star of Sinhalese cinema", Swarna began her acting career whilst still a schoolgirl, starring in the 1966 blockbuster film Sath Samudura directed by Siri Gunasinghe.[1] During a career spanning over 40 years, Swarna has won the 'Best Actress Award' 26 times, most by a Sri Lankan actress.[2]
Personal life
She was born on 1 August 1, 1948. [3] in Kosgas Junction, Grandpass, Colombo. She completed her education at Vijayaba Maha Vidyalaya, Grandpass.[4]
In a Colombo municipal election, Swarna, along with other communist leaders such as Peter Kehnemann and K. P. de Silva, fielded Abeysena, a candidate from his party in the Northern Grandpass division.
Swarna was married to renowned filmmaker Dharmasiri Bandaranayake that later she got divorced. They have one daughter named Naredra.
Career
In school, she collaborated with her friend Kanthi Kalyani Atugoda for the handwritten school magazine "Pipena Kumudu." Through the magazine, she showcased her abilities.
Swarna left Sri Lankan cinema for a brief period in the 1970s 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 and obtained the Best Actress awards for these roles during these years.[5]
In 1983, she played the main role of 'Ranmali' in the thriller drama film Dadayama directed by Vasantha Obeysekera. After receiving positive reviews by the critics, she won the Best Actress award at the Sarasaviya Awards for the role.
She has been appointed the UNHCR ambassador for women's rights in Sri Lanka since 2004.
