Famous Sri Lankan Women

Talent knows no geographical boundaries and Sri Lankan actress and model, Jacqueline Fernandez, showed it with her success in Bollywood and the numerous awards she won. Raised in a multi-ethnic family, she is known for glamour and found a place in Forbes’ India list of 100 celebrities. Fernandez is also noted for her concern for animals as acknowledged by PETA.

Sukumari was an Indian actress known for her contribution to Tamil and Malayalam films. One of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation, Sukumari acted in over 2,500 films in a career that spanned over 50 years. In 2003, she was honored with the Padma Shri. In 2011, she won the National Film Award for her performance in Namma Gramam. 

Chandrika Kumaratunga is a Sri Lankan politician who became the first female president when she was elected as the president of Sri Lanka in 1994. Having served as the president from 1994 to 2005, Kumaratunga is the only female Sri Lankan president to date. She also served as the head of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party from 1994 to 2006. 

Malini Fonseka is a Sri Lankan actress who achieved national prominence in 1969, when she received the Best Actress Award at the National State Drama Festival. Referred to as the Queen of Sinhalese cinema, Malini Fonseka also contributed immensely to Sri Lankan theatre and television. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including 11 Sarasaviya Awards.

Rosy Senanayake is a Sri Lankan politician, activist, and former beauty queen. She is currently serving as the Mayor of Colombo. A prominent political figure, Rosy Senanayake served as the State Minister for Child Affairs in 2015. She also served as Prime Minister's Spokesperson from 2015 to 2018.

Anarkali Akarsha is a Sri Lankan actress, model, TV host, singer, and politician. She achieved popularity in 2004, when she was crowned Miss Sri Lanka. In addition to appearing in films and teledramas, Anarkali Akarsha has also worked as a fundraiser and brand ambassador.

Vanushi Walters is a Sri Lankan-born New Zealand politician and lawyer. She is currently serving as a Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Upper Harbour as a representative of the Labour Party. A human rights lawyer, Vanushi Walters has also worked for non-profit and community organizations.

Upeksha Swarnamali is a Sri Lankan actress and politician. She is best known for her performance in a TV series titled Paba. A former member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Upeksha Swarnamali also served as the Monitoring Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion after being appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.