🇱🇰Famous People from Sri Lanka
A comprehensive directory of 34 historically significant figures from Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has produced 27 notable historical figures, with politicians making up the largest group at 19 individuals. The country's political scene has seen influential figures like Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the world's first female Prime Minister in 1960. The Rajapaksa family has held significant sway, with Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa both serving as President. Chandrika Kumaratunga also served as president, playing a role in democratic development. Other prominent leaders include Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maithripala Sirisena, and Anura Kumara Dissanayake, along with S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike. The database features controversial figures such as Velupillai Prabhakaran, leader of the Tamil Tigers, and spans beyond politics to entertainment with actress Jacqueline Fernandez, who represents Sri Lanka's contribution to international cinema.
Total Figures
34
Categories
15
Time Span
301BC–1985
Top Field
politician· 14
Notable Figures Overview
Distribution by Historical Era
AncientANC(4)
MedievalMED(1)
Early ModernEAR M.(1)
ModernMOD(5)
ContemporaryCONT.(23)
Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Link
Dutugamunu
monarch
Sri Lankan King
King of Anuradhapura from 247 BC to 207 BC
Mahasena of Anuradhapura
monarch
Sri Lankan King
Aryadeva
philosopher
3rd century Sri Lankan philosopher and writer
King of Sri Lanka
Velupillai Prabhakaran
dictator
Founded and led the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for over three decades, waging a separatist war for an independent Tamil state until his death in 2009.
Rajasinghe II of Kandy
monarch
Sinhalese King
Gajaman Nona
poet
Sri Lankan poet (1746-1815)
Paulus Edward Pieris Deraniyagala
anthropologist
Sri Lankan academic (1900–1976)
Sheikh Mustafa
poet
Islamic scholar, poet, and Sufi from Sri Lanka
Anura Kumara Dissanayake
politician
Leader of the Marxist-Leninists JVP party who won the 2024 presidential election, becoming Sri Lanka's first leftist president since independence.
M.I.A.
activist
British rapper and activist known for politically charged music that blends hip-hop, electronic, and world music influences. Her albums include Arular and Kala, and she's recognized for addressing issues of war, immigration, and global politics.
Junius Richard Jayewardene
cricketer
Sri Lanka's first Executive President (1978-1989) who introduced the current constitution and economic liberalization policies that transformed the country's political system.
Shehan Karunatilaka
writer
Won the 2022 Booker Prize for his novel "The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida," making him the second Sri Lankan author to receive this prestigious literary award.
William Gopallawa
diplomat
Served as Sri Lanka's first President (1972-1978) when the country transitioned from a dominion to a republic, previously serving as Governor-General.
S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike
barrister
Prime Minister from 1956-1959 who championed Sinhalese nationalism and made Sinhala the official language, before being assassinated by a Buddhist monk.
Don Stephen Senanayake
diplomat
Led Sri Lanka's independence movement and became the country's first Prime Minister (1947-1952), earning recognition as the "Father of the Nation."
Sirimavo Bandaranaike
diplomat
Sri Lanka's first female Prime Minister who made history as the world's first woman to serve as head of government, leading the country through three separate terms from 1960-2000.
Dudley Senanayake
diplomat
Sri Lankan politician who served three terms as Prime Minister (1952-1953, 1960, 1965-1970) and was a founding member of the United National Party. He was known for his moderate policies and efforts to promote national reconciliation during a turbulent period in Sri Lankan politics.
D. M. Jayaratne
politician
Served as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka from 2010-2015 under President Mahinda Rajapaksa, representing the Matara District in Parliament for over four decades.
Ranasinghe Premadasa
politician
Rose from poverty to become President of Sri Lanka (1989-1993) before being assassinated by an LTTE suicide bomber during a May Day parade.
Ratnasiri Wickremanayake
politician
Served twice as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka (2000-2001, 2005-2010) and was a key figure in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party for over five decades.
Jacqueline Fernandez
beauty pageant contestant
Former Miss Universe Sri Lanka (2006) who became a prominent Bollywood actress, starring in films like Kick and Race 3.
Dinesh Gunawardena
politician
Veteran politician who served as Prime Minister from 2022-2024 and has held various ministerial portfolios over his decades-long political career.
Harini Amarasuriya
academic
Academic and sociologist who became Sri Lanka's first female Prime Minister since 2000 when appointed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in 2024.
Showing 1-25 of 34 figures
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the first female Prime Minister of Sri Lanka?
Sirimavo Bandaranaike was the first female Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and the world's first female head of government. She served three terms as Prime Minister between 1960 and 2000, leading the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and implementing social and economic reforms.
Which famous actress from Sri Lanka works in Bollywood movies?
Jacqueline Fernandez is a Sri Lankan actress and former model who has gained prominence in Bollywood cinema. She has appeared in many successful Hindi films and is a well-known Sri Lankan figure in the Indian film industry.
Who are the most well-known political leaders from the Rajapaksa family?
Mahinda Rajapaksa was President of Sri Lanka from 2005 to 2015 and later became Prime Minister. His brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa was President from 2019 to 2022. The Rajapaksa family has been influential in modern Sri Lankan politics.