Sinhalese people are an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group native to the island of Sri Lanka. They were historically known as Hela people. They constitute about 75% of the Sri Lankan population and number more than 16.2 million. The Sinhalese identity is based on language, cultural heritage and nationality. The Sinhalese people speak Sinhala, an insular Indo-Aryan language, and are predominantly Theravada Buddhists, although a minority of Sinhalese follow branches of Christianity and other religions. Since 1815, they were broadly divided into two respective groups: The 'Up-country Sinhalese' in the central mountainous regions, and the 'Low-country Sinhalese' in the coastal regions; although both groups speak the same language, they are distinguished as they observe different cultural customs.
The Vedda, or Wanniyalaeto, are a minority indigenous group of people in Sri Lanka who, among other sub-communities such as Coast Veddas, Anuradhapura Veddas and Bintenne Veddas, are accorded indigenous status. The Vedda minority in Sri Lanka may become completely assimilated. Most speak Sinhala instead of their indigenous languages, which are nearing extinction. It has been hypothesized that the Vedda were probably the earliest inhabitants of Sri Lanka and have lived on the island since before the arrival of other ethnic groups in India.
Upeksha Swarnamali, popularly known as "Paba", is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema and television and a former member of the Sri Lanka Parliament. She gained popularity for her role on the television series "Paba" broadcast on Independent Television Network.
Kokis is a deep-fried, crispy Sri Lankan food made from rice flour and coconut milk. Although considered as a traditional Sri Lankan dish, it is believed to have come from the Dutch. This is an important dish when celebrating Sinhala New Year and plays a major role in the festivities.
Deshanabu Tissa Ananda Abeysekara was a Sri Lankan filmmaker, actor, writer, director, screen playwright and political activist. He is better known as a script writer for the cinema as well as a film director. In 1996, his book Bringing Tony Home won the prestigious Gratiaen Prize for the new creative writing in English. He was the chief coordinator of FOSWAL in Sri Lanka and honoured awardee of SAARC Literary Award.
Roshan Ranawana is a Sri Lankan film actor and a model. Ranawana was awarded the most popular actors award at the Derana film awards in 2013.
Bodu Bala Sena, is a Sinhalese Buddhist nationalist and extreme nationalist organisation, which is a break-away organisation from the right-wing nationalist Jathika Hela Urumaya organisation. The BBS generally opposes pluralist and democratic ideologies, and criticizes non-extremist Buddhist monks for not taking action against the rise of other religions within Sri Lanka.
Samadhi Arunachaya Moragolla better known as Malee following the success of the tele drama in the same title, is a Sri Lankan actress who came to the limelight after being crowned as 2010 Avurudu Kumari competition conducted by Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. She began her career with her debut tele Saveena, which was aired on Derana TV, but she is best known for her later tele Malee Directed by Nimal Ratnayaka and produced by Janaka Siriwardana which was also aired on Derana TV.
Nona Yuhan Sheriffdeen [Sinhala]), popularly as stage name Jemini Kantha, was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema. One of the earliest pillars of Sinhala cinema, Kantha is considered as the first female comedian in Sinhala cinema. She was a pioneer comedy actress known as "Josi Baba" and singer in early Sri Lankan cinema.
Wasala Kulauthum Wijekoon Mudiyanselage Duleeka Kumari Wijekoon Marapana commonly as Duleeka Marapana, is an actress in Sri Lankan stage, television and cinema as well as a public speaker, director, producer and philanthropist. Marapana is best known for the role "Dingiri Amma" in Malee teledrama. Apart from acting, she is the Founder of 3rdbell Productions and Academy, the Chairperson CO CO productions and founder of Northwest films.
Chandra Kankanamage Kaluarachchi, popularly known as Chandra Kaluarachchi, was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television. Kaluarachchi is best known for performances in Welikathara (1971), Ira Madiyama (2003) and Nisala Gira (2007).
Asha de Vos (Sinhala:ආශා ඩි වොස් is a Sri Lankan marine biologist, ocean educator and pioneer of blue whale research within the northern Indian Ocean. She is known for her Blue Whale Project. She is a Senior TED Fellow and was chosen for a BBC 100 Women award in 2018. She is a National Geographic 2016 Emerging Explorer Grantee.
Darshan Dharmaraj was a Sri Lankan actor in film, theatre and television. He made his first television appearance through the Sidney Chandrasekara's teledrama A9. He was awarded Best Actor Awards at several Film festivals in Sri Lanka for his portrayal as ex-LTTE cadre in Asoka Handagama's movie Ini Avan (2012).
Bogoda Appuhamilage Don Wickrama Bogoda, popularly as Wickrama Bogoda, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema and theater. Primarily known for character acting in both in stage plays and movies. plays, Bogoda has performed in many theater plays and over 15 selected movies over two decades from 1960 to 1985. His role in Movie Golu Hadawatha made his acting sensational
Hatharasinghege Michelle Dilhara is a Sri Lankan actress and an Environmentalist. One of the most popular television actresses in Sri Lanka, Dilhara is best known for playing the role of "Ayoma" in the popular television series Sudu Andagena Kalu Awidin Apart from acting, she also engages in various philanthropic activities and is a social activist and an author.
Priyankara Rathnayake is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. Highly versatile actor mostly engaged in theater and cinema, Rathnayake is a lecturer and Head of Drama & Theatre and image Arts Unit, Department of Fine Arts in University of Kelaniya by profession.
Meemanage Mary Magdalene Leticia Peiris [Sinhala]), popularly as Leticia Peiris, was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television. One of the earliest pillars in Sri Lankan film history, Peiris had a career that spanned more than five decades. She is the last acting link of the Jayamanne lineage.
Deshashakthi Deshabandu Rathnayake Mudiyanselage Thilak Kumara Rathnayake [Sinhala]), popularly known as Thilak Kumara Rathnayake, is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. One of the most popular television actors in Sri Lanka, Rathnayake is most notable for the trade mark role "Somadasa" in the television serial Kopi Kade. Apart from acting, he is a well known announcer and host in outdoor musical shows.
Sexual violence against Tamils in Sri Lanka has occurred repeatedly during the island's long ethnic conflict. The first instances of rape of Tamil women by Sinhalese mobs were documented during the 1958 anti-Tamil pogrom. This continued in the 1960s with the deployment of the Sri Lankan Army in Jaffna, who were reported to have molested and occasionally raped Tamil women.
