Nita Fernando

Kala Suri Nita Fernando (born September 5, 1947, නීටා ප්‍රනාන්දු) in Negombo, Sri Lanka, is an actress in the Sri Lankan cinema. She has starred in films like Duhulu Malak and Pavuru Walalu.

Biography Early life Nita Fernando was the eldest of four children. She studied at Holy Family Convent Wennappuwa.

Personal life Fernando gave up acting after her marriage to lawyer Elian Perera in 1975 and moved to Canada, where she worked as a receptionist at the Montreal General Hospital.

Career

Nita Fernando made her screen debut in Landaka Mahima alongside Joe Abeywickrama in 1965. Over the next eight years, she made over 40 films, e.g., Duhulu Malak, Lasanda, Hadawath Neththo, Mangala, Wasana, and Shanthi.

In 1983, she briefly returned to film, producing and starring in Sooriyakantha. She kept a low profile subsequently until 1998, when she played Violet in the Prasanna Vithanage film Pavuru Walalu.

The role won her international acclaim, netting her a Best Actress Award at the 1998 International Singapore Film Festival. the Vishwa Kirthie award, the Presidential Award, the Critics Award in 1999, and the OCIC Award for Best Actress in 2000 in Sri Lanka.

In 2020, she won the Best Actress award at the 2019 Nice International Film Festival in France.

Filmography

Year Film Role Ref. 1965 Landaka Mahima Latha 1965 Sathutai Kandului 1966 Layata Laya 1968 Ruhunu Kumari 1969 Pickpocket Menika 1969 Hari Maga Daya 1969 Mee Masso 1970 Geetha Champa 1971 Ran Onchilla 1971 Kesara Sinhayo Shyama 1971 Bindunu Hadawath 1971 Samanala Kumariyo 1972 Sujeewa Suramya 1973 Matara Achchi Kanthi 1973 Sunethra Samanthi 1974 Hadawath Naththo 1974 Shanthi 1974 Duppathage Hithawatha Doctor Rupa 1974 Lasanda Lasanda 1974 Wasthuwa 1974 Sagarika 1975 Hitha Honda Minihek Film actress 1975 Raththaran Amma Charitha's girlfriend 1975 Kaliyudga Kale 1975 Kohoma Kiyannada Sheela 1975 Cyril Malli 1975 Lassana Kella Chitra 1975 Kokilayo 1975 Rajagedara Paraviyo 1975 Jeewana Geethaya 1976 Wasana Sudam's sister 1976 Duhulu Malak Nilupa Suraweera 1976 Asha 1976 Haaratha Hathara 1976 Hariyata Hari Kusuma 1976 Onna Mame Kella Panapi 1976 Deviyange Theenduwa Shanthi Ranatunga 1976 Mangala 1977 Hithuwakkarayo 1979 Visihathara Peya Sumana 1981 Sooriyakantha Soba 1997 Pavuru Valalu Violet 2000 Saroja Varuni's mother 2003 Bheeshanaye Athuru Kathawak Mrs. Somadasa 2006 Samaara 2007 Nisala Gira Radha 2010 Bambara Walalla Podi Eka's mother 2014 Rassa Kale 2014 Que Sera 2014 Thanha Rathi Ranga Chandare's mother 2014 Swaroopa 2014 Parapura Kanthi 2016 Paththini Chithrapathi 2016 Sakkarang 2017 Kaala Henchman's mother 2020 Paangshu Babanona 2022 Praana Nun 2023 Swara 2024 Kambili Lalitha Amma 2025 Theja Theja

Awards Vishwa Kirthie Award - Sri Lanka Government Kala Suri Award- Sri Lanka Government 1998 - Best Actress - International Singapore Film Festival 2018 - Sumathi Life time Award 2020 - Best Actress Nice Film Festival France 2020 - Best Actress - Indus Valley International Awards 2019 - Life time Achievement Award 19th Presidential Awards 2019 - Best Actress - 20th Presidential Awards 2019 - Best Actress - 35th Sarasaviya Awards