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Umara Sinhawansa was born into a family of professional musicians. Her father is Tony Sinhawansa and her mother is Ayesha Sinhawansa.[2][3] She has one sister, Umaria Sinhawansa, who is also a singer, and two brothers. Umara was educated at Muslim Ladies’ College in Colombo. She represented Sri Lanka in three international singing competitions.[4] Together with her sister Umaria, she won third place at the 2011 Crimea Music Fest and first prize at the All-Island Singing Competition of Sri Lanka.[5][6]
Career
Sinhawansa made her first professional recording at the age of 10 with her sister Umaria and gave her first public performance at the age of 13.[7] Later, Sinhawansa teamed up with the singing duo Bathiya and Santhush.[citation needed] Some of her singles include "Wassanayata," "Shaheena," "Sihina Ko," and "Malak Thibuna" with Chithral Somapla.[8] After her marriage to Risky Fahmi, she moved to Hong Kong, where she studied jazz with Dylan Lye.[citation needed] During a six-year stint in Hong Kong, she performed for Chinese audiences and established herself as a Sri Lankan vocalist, performing with her band Proteus.[9][citation needed]
After returning to Sri Lanka in 2017, Sinhawansa launched her academy, Umara Music Studio (UMS),[10] which provides music and vocal training to students of all ages.[5][11]
Public opinion was divided.[13] Critics accused her of distorting the lyrics by changing the word "matha" (mother) to "mahatha" (mister).[14] Others criticized her 'operatic and Westernized' singing style as it deviated from traditional performances of the anthem.[15] Public figures, such as fellow singer Ashanthi De Alwis and MP Chamathka Ratnayake of Samagi Jana Balawegaya,[16] defended her.
On 31 July 2023, the Public Administration ministry secretary Ranjith Asoka issued a gazette announcing a probe to investigate the alleged distortion of the national anthem.[18]
On 2 August 2023, Sinhawansa issued an apology on social media.[19][20]
Awards and accomplishments
Represented Sri Lanka at two international singing competitions held in Kazakhstan and China[2]
Bronze Award at the 2011 Crimea Music Festival held in Ukraine, performing with her sister Umaria[5]
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