Jayasuriya Arachchige Dona Mary Yvonne Perera, better known as Sandhya Kumari (born 6 January 1945 – died 2 June 1994) was a popular Sri Lankan actress who frequently played femme fatale roles in early Sinhala cinema.
Starring alongside Gamini Fonseka, Jeevarani Kurukulasooriya, Ananda Jayaratne, Nelson Karunagama and Vijitha Mallika, Kumari gained fame with the performance.
Emotive, expressive, and with a commanding presence, the actress held her own; acting alongside greats of the silver screen such as Gamini Fonseka and under the direction of the likes of Titus Thotawatte.
Twenty-five years later, her legacy in Sri Lankan cinema is still well and truly alive as seen by the warm reception to renowned film journalist Sunil Leenus’s new publication “Cinamawe Nomiyana Daasa” – a look at Kumari’s contribution to the industry and a testament to her persona.
Her ability to captivate audiences with her versatile acting and onscreen persona was admirable, as were her striking features that made her one of the initial sex symbols of local cinema culture.