Nita Fernando
Encyclopedia
Nita Fernando is an award-winning actress in the Sri Lanka
n cinema. She has starred in films like Duhulu Malak
and Pavuru Walalu.
where she worked as receptionist at the Montreal General Hospital.
in 1965. Over the next eight years, she made over 40 films e.g. Duhulu Malak
, Lasanda, Hadawath Neththo, Mangala, Wasana and Shanthi.
Nita 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.
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, Presidential award and the Critics award in 1999 and OCIC award for Best Actress in 2000 in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
n cinema. She has starred in films like Duhulu Malak
Duhulu Malak
Duhulu Malak is a 1976 Sinhalese language romance film directed by Vijaya Dharmasri that follows the lives of middle class people in Sri Lanka. The film stars Nita Fernando, Ravindra Randeniya and Tony Ranasinghe and is notable for containing the first depiction of adultery in a Sinhala film...
and Pavuru Walalu.
Early life
Nita Fernando was born the eldest of three children. She studied at Holy Family Convent Wennappuwa.Personal life
Nita gave up acting after her marriage to lawyer Elian Perera in 1975 and moved to CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
where she worked as receptionist at the Montreal General Hospital.
Career
Nita Fernando made her screen debut in Landaka Mahima alongside Joe AbeywickramaJoe Abeywickrama
Gammana Patabendige Don John Abeywickrama was a Sri Lankan actor. He began acting in 1957 and achieved fame as a comedic actor...
in 1965. Over the next eight years, she made over 40 films e.g. Duhulu Malak
Duhulu Malak
Duhulu Malak is a 1976 Sinhalese language romance film directed by Vijaya Dharmasri that follows the lives of middle class people in Sri Lanka. The film stars Nita Fernando, Ravindra Randeniya and Tony Ranasinghe and is notable for containing the first depiction of adultery in a Sinhala film...
, Lasanda, Hadawath Neththo, Mangala, Wasana and Shanthi.
Nita obtained her first film role in Gamini Fonseka
Gamini Fonseka
Sembuge Gamini Shelton Fonseka was a Sri Lankan film actor and politician.Fonseka was born on March 21, 1936 in Dehiwela the third child of William and Daisy Fonseka. Starting school at a Presbyterian institution, Gamini moved on to S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia...
'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.
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
Prasanna Vithanage
Prasanna Vithanage is one of Sri Lanka's most notable filmmakers. His films have won many awards, both local and international....
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, Presidential award and the Critics award in 1999 and OCIC award for Best Actress in 2000 in Sri Lanka.