Jayathilake Arachchige Florida Cooray (born 1936 – died 2007 as ෆ්ලොරිඩා ජයලත්) [Sinhala]), popularly as Florida Jayalath, was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema.[1][2] Apart from acting, Florida also worked as a filmmaker, choreographer and a film producer. She is the first female filmmaker in Sinhala film industry.[3]
Florida Jayalath ෆ්ලොරිඩා ජයලත් | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jayathilake Arachchige Florida Cooray 1936 |
| Died | April 2007 (aged 71) |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Education | Holy Family Convent, Marawila |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, Director, Choreographer, Producer |
| Years active | 1951–1966 |
| Parents |
|
Personal life
editFlorida was born on 1936 in Marawila as the fourth child of the family. Her father was D. K. Jayalath and mother was Merry Gald Jayalath. She completed education from Holy Family Convent, Marawila. She has two elder sisters, Josapin Jayalath and Srima Murial Jayalath. Josapin was a dramatist at the Minerva Drama Team.
Florida died in April 2007 at the age of 71.[4] At the time of demise, she was in Melbourne, Australia with her daughter.
Career
editFlorida made her film debut with a minor role in the 1951 film Segawunu Pilithura.[5] Then in 1953, she made a major role in the film Sujatha with the titular character. The film was a blockbuster of that year and Florida became a sensation among the people. She appeared in many popular movies in the coming years such as Sada Sulang, Daruwa Kageda and Heta Pramada Wadi. In the film Seda Sulang, Indian playback singer Lata Mangeshkar played the background song Sri Lanka Ma Priyadara for Florida.[6] Her last film appearance came through 1966 film Sudu Duwa.[7]
In 1965, she directed and produced the film Sweep Ticket along with Raja Joshua.[4] This is the first time a woman in Sinhala cinema has directed a feature film.[8]
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | Segawunu Pilithura | Stage dancer | |
| 1952 | Umathu Wishwasaya | Dancer | |
| 1953 | Sujatha | Sujatha | |
| 1955 | Seda Sulang | Seetha | |
| 1957 | Saradama | Sandhya / Kama | |
| 1958 | Sepali | Sepali | |
| 1959 | Awishwasaya | Latha | |
| 1959 | Gehenu Geta | Dancer | |
| 1960 | Pirimiyek Nisa | ||
| 1961 | Suwineetha Lalani | ||
| 1961 | Daruwa Kageda..? | Geetha | |
| 1962 | Deva Sundari | ||
| 1963 | Wena Swargayak Kumatada..? | ||
| 1963 | Sudu Sande Kalu Wala | Manike | |
| 1963 | Mangalika | ||
| 1964 | Heta Pramada Wadi | Laxmi | |
| 1965 | Sweep Ticket | ||
| 1966 | Sudu Duwa |
References
edit- ^ "Actresses in Sri Lankan cinema - Florida Jayalath". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- ^ "Florida Jayalath filmography". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- ^ "Our female filmmakers". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- ^ a b "Florida Jayalath - Appreciation". The Island. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- ^ "Florida Jayalath remembrance". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- ^ "Florida Jayalath posts". Facebook. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- ^ "Florida Jayalath films". IMDb. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- ^ "Movie stars who acted in their first directorial role". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 27 January 2020.