Nita Fernando

Nita Fernando (born 5 September 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.[1]

Nita Fernando
නීටා ප්‍රනාන්දු
Born (1947-09-05) September 5, 1947
Negombo, Sri Lanka
OccupationFilm actress / film producer
Years active1965–Present
Spouse(s)Elian Perera
AwardsBest Actress Award at the 1998 Singapore International Film Festival,
Vishwa Kirthie Award, Presidential Award, Critics Award in 1999,
OCIC Award for Best Actress in 2000

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 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.[2]

Fernando obtained her first film role in Gamini Fonseka's Parasathu Mal. She was unable to appear in the film however because her parents didn't approve. Discouraged, she toyed with the idea of becoming a teacher before she returned to acting after finishing schooling. Her interest in film was supported by her uncle.[2]

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.[3]

The role won her international acclaim netting her a Best Actress Award at the 1998 International Singapore Film Festival,[4] the Vishwa Kirthie award, Presidential award and the Critics award in 1999 and OCIC award for Best Actress in 2000 in Sri Lanka.[3][5][6][7]

In 2020, she won the Best Actress award at the 2019 Nice International Film Festival in France.[8]

Filmography
YearFilmRoleRef.
1965Landaka MahimaLatha
1965Sathutai Kandului
1966Layata Laya
1968Ruhunu Kumari
1969PickpocketMenika
1969Hari MagaDaya
1969Mee Masso
1970GeethaChampa
1971Ran Onchilla[9]
1971Kesara SinhayoShyama
1971Bindunu Hadawath
1971Samanala Kumariyo
1972SujeewaSuramya[10]
1973Matara AchchiKanthi
1973SunethraSamanthi
1974Hadawath Naththo
1974Shanthi
1974Duppathage HithawathaDoctor Rupa[11]
1974LasandaLasanda
1974Wasthuwa
1974Sagarika
1975Hitha Honda MinihekFilm actress
1975Raththaran AmmaCharitha's girlfriend
1975Kaliyudga Kale
1975Kohoma KiyannadaSheela
1975Cyril Malli
1975Lassana KellaChitra
1975Kokilayo
1975Rajagedara Paraviyo
1975Jeewana Geethaya
1976WasanaSudam's sister
1976Duhulu MalakNilupa Suraweera
1976Asha
1976Haaratha Hathara
1976Hariyata HariKusuma
1976Onna Mame Kella Panapi
1976Deviyange TheenduwaShanthi Ranatunga
1976Mangala
1977Hithuwakkarayo
1979Visihathara PeyaSumana
1981SooriyakanthaSoba
1997Pavuru ValaluViolet
2000SarojaVaruni's mother
2003Bheeshanaye Athuru KathawakMrs. Somadasa
2006Samaara
2007Nisala GiraRadha
2010Bambara WalallaPodi Eka's mother
2014Rassa Kale
2014Que Sera
2014Thanha Rathi RangaChandare's mother
2014Swaroopa
2014ParapuraKanthi
2016PaththiniChithrapathi
2016Sakkarang
2017KaalaHenchman's mother
2020PaangshuBabanona
TBDTheja[12]

References
  1. "I learnt many more from all directors". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  2. "Unfading Star of the Silver Screen". Daily News. 2006. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2007.
  3. "Nita's achievements on the Net". Sunday Times. 2001. Retrieved 19 May 2007.
  4. "Sri Lankan stars shined at international level". Sarasaviya. Archived from the original on 21 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  5. "Nita Fernando : Returns to cinema after a sojourn". Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka). 7 October 2007. Archived from the original on 21 August 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2008.
  6. "Boost for Sinhala cinema". The Sunday Times(Sri Lanka). 7 June 1998. ISSN 1391-0531.
  7. "Stars in jail shocker as Nisala Gira takes to the screen". Daily News(Sri Lanka). 5 September 2007.
  8. "Our mother also had the experience of Babanona". Sarasaviya. 29 August 2020.
  9. "All about Ran Onchilla". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  10. "All about Sujeewa". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  11. "All about Duppathage Hithawatha". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  12. "තේජා පූර්ව ප්‍රචාරය අරඹයි". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
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