Anula Karunathilaka (Sinhala: අනුලා කරුණාතිලක, born 23 January 1946) is a Sri Lankan film actress and theatrical performer.

[1] Having applied as a contestant at her sister's insistence, her photo was published in the newspaper among the other candidates' for the public to vote on.

[1] Filmmakers Sumitra Peries and Tissa Abeysekera were among the audience of the final event and, using the photo published in the newspaper, identified Karunathilaka during the day's proceedings.

[1] A week later, Sugathapala de Silva and G. W. Surendra visited the Karunathilakas' home with a message from Lester James Peries, Peries, and Abeysekera, inviting her to audition for the role of Nanda in Lester James' upcoming Gamperaliya.

Golu Hadawatha made many notable contributions to Sinhala cinema, and became one of the most popular actresses in the late 1960s.