Swarna Mallawarachchi (born 1 August 1948: ), 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. During a career spanning over 40 years, Swarna has won the 'Best Actress Award' 26 times, most by a Sri Lankan actress.
Personal life She was born on 1 August 1, 1948. in Kosgas Junction, Grandpass, Colombo. She completed her education at Vijayaba Maha Vidyalaya, Grandpass..
Swarna has one daughter named Naredra Bandaranayake.
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.
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.
Swarna's 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, Sumitra Peries' Sagara Jalaya (Letter Written in the Sand) and Prasanna Vithanage's Anantha Rathriya (Dark Night of the Soul).Swarna Mallawarachchi
Filmography
Year Film Role 1967 Sath Samudura Soma 1969 Hanthane Kathawa Subhadra 1970 Thunman Handiya Yasawathi 1970 Nim Wallala 1971 Samanala Kumariyo Samaga Api Kawadath Surayo 1973 Mathara Achchi Sumithra aka Sumi 1973 Gopalu Handa 1973 Hondama Welawa 1974 Ahas Gauwa Vijitha 1980 Muwan Palessa 2 1980 Sankhapali Sugala 1980 Hewanali Eda Minissu 1980 Hansa Vilak Miranda Ranaweera 1980 Sinhabahu Supra 1981 Anjana 1981 Chanchala Rekha Kamala 1982 Ridee Nimnaya Leelawathi 1982 Kiri Suwanda 1982 Kala Mal 1982 Biththi Hathara Samara 1982 Yahalu Yeheli Gina 1983 Dadayama Rathmali Kekunawela 1983 Samanala Sihina 1983 Muwan Palessa 3 1984 Maya Kumari's mother 1985 Suddilage Kathaawa Suddi 1985 Doringe Sayanaya 1985 Karadiya Walalla 1986 Maldeniye Simion Gunawathi 1987 Yugayen Yugayata 1987 Kawuluwa 1988 Sagara Jalaya Madi Haduwa Oba Sanda Heen Kella 1989 Kedapathaka Chaya Nandawathi Bandara 1993 Madara Parasathu Chithra 1994 Mee Haraka Yamuna Nanayakkara 1995 Ayoma Ayoma 1997 Bawa Duka Nona Hami 1997 Bawa Karma Nona Hami 1998 Chanda Kinnari 2001 Anantha Rathriya Weerasinghe Arachchige Piyumi 2004 Premawanthayo 2014 Thanha Rathi Ranga Manorani 2016 Age Asa Aga 2023 Dada Ima Rohini Kekunawela 2025 Rani Manorani Saravanamuttu
Awards Presidential Awards
|| 1981 ||| Hansa Vilak || Best Actress || 1984 “ Dadayama” Best Actress |- || 1986 ||| Suddilage Kathawa || Best Actress || |- || 1997 ||| Bawa Duka || Best Actress || |- || 1998 ||| Channa Kinnari || Best Actress || |- || 2017 ||| Age Asa Aga || Best Actress || |- || 2017 ||| Contribution to Cinema || Lifetime Achievement ||
OCIC Awards
|| 1982 ||| Ridi Nimnaya Biththi Hathara Yahalu Yeheli || Best Actress || |- || 1983 ||| Dadayama || Best Actress || |- || 1984 ||| Maya || Best Actress || |- || 1985 ||| Suddilage Kathawa || Best Actress || |- || 1988 ||| Sagara Jalaya || Best Actress || |- || 1989 ||| Kadapathaka Chaya || Best Actress || |- || 1996 ||| Anantha Rathriya || Best Actress || |- || 1997 ||| Bawa Duka || Best Actress || |- || 1998 ||| Channa Kinnari || Best Actress || |- || 2017 ||| Age Asa Aga || Best Actress ||
Sarasaviya Awards
|| 1983 ||| Dadayama || Best Actress || |- || 1985 ||| Suddilage Kathawa || Best Actress || |- || 1988 ||| Sagara Jalaya || Best Actress || |- || 1997 ||| Bawa Duka || Best Actress || |- || 1998 ||| Channa Kinnari || Best Actress || |- || 2014 ||| Contribution to Cinema || Lifetime Achievement ||
Swarna Sanka Awards
|| 1988 ||| Sagara Jalaya || Best Actress || |- || 1989 ||| Kadapathaka Chaya || Best Actress ||
Hiru Golden Film Awards
|| 2014 ||| Contribution to Cinema || Lifetime Achievement ||
Sumathi Awards
|| 2017 ||| Contribution to Cinema || Lifetime Achievement ||
Derana Film Awards
|| 2017 ||| Age Asa Aga || Best Actress ||
Other Awards
|| – ||| Contribution to Cinema || Bangladesh Film Development Board Award || |- || – ||| Contribution to Cinema || Zonta Woman of the Year || |- || – ||| Contribution to Cinema || Sanpac Felicitation ||
References
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 ස්වර්ණා මල්ලවාරච්චි අසංක දේවමිත්ර පෙරේරා සමඟ හෘදයාංගම කතාබහක...