Nita Fernando honoured with Kalakeerthi Abhimani Dheshakeerthi

Internationally recognised actress Nita Fernando was recently honoured with the Kalakeerthi Abhimani Dheshakeerthi title by the All Island Cultural Environment Protection Organisation for her service to Sri Lankan cinema and art.

Nita was awarded by Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha Lekakadhikari Ven. Prof. Pallekande Rathanasara Anunayake Mahanayake Thero.

Starting with W.M.S. Tampoe’s ‘Landaka Mahima’ acting alongside Joe Abeywickrama in 1965, Nita worked in Sri Lankan cinema as an actress and producer for more than 55 years. She has acted in over 40 films including ‘Duhul Malak’, ‘Lasanda’, ‘Mangala’, ‘Wasana’, and ‘Shanthi’.

She took a hiatus from acting for several years when she left Canada and returned to Sri Lanka in 1998 kicking off the second phase of her acting career playing the role of ‘Violet’ in Prasanna Vithanage’s ‘Pawuru Walau’ which she produced. 

For her performance Nita won the Best Actress Award at the 1998 International Singapore Film Festival and locally she won the Vishwa Kirthie award, Presidential award and the Critics award in 1999 and OCIC for the Best Actress award. Nita won the Best Actress award at the 2019 Nice International Film Festival in France for her role in Visakesa Chandrasekaram’s ‘Pamgshu’. Senior DIG Ajith Rohana was the Chief Guest at the ceremony. 

The award ceremony was organised by All Island Cultural Environment Protection Organisation President Chandana Weeratunga and renowned actors Roshan Pilapitiya and Achala Roshini.