Career
She began her acting career whilst still a schoolgirl - starring in the 1966 released Sinhalese film Sath Samudura directed by Doctor Siri Gunasinghe. 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 however obtained the Best Actress awards for these roles during these years.
A hint at the excellence of her talent. Swarna Mallawarachchi holds the highest number of "Best Actress" awards in Sri Lanka.
In her off-screen life, Swarna is an example of the roles she portrays on-screen. She was appointed the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees ambassador for women"s rights in Sri Lanka since 2004.
Swarna"s truly 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).
