Florida Jayalath

Jayathilake Arachchige Florida Cooray (1936–2007 as ෆ්ලොරිඩා ජයලත්) [Sinhala]), popularly known as Florida Jayalath, was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema. Apart from acting, Florida also worked as a filmmaker, choreographer and a film producer. She is the first female filmmaker in Sinhala film industry.

Personal life Florida was born in 1936 in Marawila as the fourth child of the family. Her father was D. K. Jayalath and mother was Merry Gald Jayalath. She completed education from Holy Family Convent, Marawila. She has two elder sisters, Josapin Jayalath and Srima Murial Jayalath. Josapin was a dramatist at the Minerva Drama Team.

Florida died in April 2007 at the age of 71. At the time of demise, she was in Melbourne, Australia with her daughter.

Career Florida made her film debut with a minor role in the 1951 film Segawunu Pilithura. Then in 1953, she made a major role in the film Sujatha with the titular character. The film was a blockbuster of that year and Florida became a sensation among the people. She appeared in many popular movies in the coming years such as Sada Sulang, Daruwa Kageda and Heta Pramada Wadi. In the film Seda Sulang, Indian playback singer Lata Mangeshkar played the background song Sri Lanka Ma Priyadara for Florida. Her last film appearance came through 1966 film Sudu Duwa.

In 1965, she directed and produced the film Sweep Ticket along with Raja Joshua.

Filmography Year Film Role Ref. 1951 Segawunu Pilithura Stage dancer 1952 Umathu Wishwasaya Dancer 1953 Sujatha Sujatha 1955 Seda Sulang Seetha 1957 Saradama Sandhya / Kama 1958 Sepali Sepali 1959 Awishwasaya Latha 1959 Gehenu Geta Dancer 1960 Pirimiyek Nisa 1961 Suwineetha Lalani 1961 Daruwa Kageda..? Geetha 1962 Deva Sundari 1963 Wena Swargayak Kumatada..? 1963 Sudu Sande Kalu Wala Manike 1963 Mangalika 1964 Heta Pramada Wadi Laxmi 1965 Sweep Ticket 1966 Sudu Duwa