# 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.
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 school. 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, 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

Key :
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Role |
| 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 |
| TBA | Theja † | |
| TBA | Magam Soli † | |

## 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