Upeksha Swarnamali “Paba”: From Actress to Parliamentarian

Early Life and Education:

Birth and Childhood: Upeksha Swarnamali, known affectionately as “Paba,” was born to Sri Lankan parents in Kuwait. She spent the first 20 years of her life in Kuwait before returning to Sri Lanka in 2004.
Education: Swarnamali studied at the Indian International School in Kuwait. She holds a Diploma in Dancing, showcasing her early interest in the arts.

Personal Life:

Family Background: Upeksha Swarnamali’s mother, Nirmalee Swarnamali, raised her in Kuwait. She has mentioned that her parents divorced when she was just four years old, leading to a disconnect with her father, who is a Tamil citizen.
Siblings: Swarnamali has a brother named J. Shehan Fernando from another mother.

Marital Journey:

First Marriage: She was initially married to Mahesh Chaminda, but the relationship turned abusive, leading to hospitalization due to injuries. They divorced on January 31, 2013, as per the Colombo District Court.
Second Marriage: Swarnamali then married Samantha Perera, a car sales dealer, on March 13, 2016. The couple welcomed a daughter. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 2021.

Acting Career:

Modeling Beginnings: Swarnamali started her career as a model, appearing in various music videos, including the popular “Chanchala.”
Television Stardom: She gained widespread popularity for her role in the television drama series “Paba,” broadcast on the Independent Television Network (ITN).
Reality Shows:
- Swarnamali participated in the reality dancing show “Sirasa Dancing Stars,” showcasing her versatility.
- She also competed in the Mega Star reality program organized by Swarnavahini, reaching the finals and securing the 4th position.
Awards:
- She won the Sumathi Award for Best Upcoming Actress, sponsored by Vendol, for her performance as the Most Popular Actress.

Selected Television Serials:

“Paba”: This series brought her immense popularity and recognition.
“Aganthukaya”
“Ahas Maliga”
“Bindunu Sith”
“Dekada Kada”
“Divyadari”
“Oba Nisa”
“Samanalunta Wedithiyanna”

Political Journey:

Election to Parliament: Upeksha Swarnamali entered the political arena and was elected as a member of the Sri Lanka Parliament in the 2010 General Elections. She represented the United National Party (UNP) from the Gampaha District, garnering 81,350 preferential votes.
Controversies and Transitions:
- She made headlines for her support of then opposition presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka during her time in the “Paba” teledrama.
- Swarnamali later shifted her support to the governing United People’s Freedom Alliance and voted for the 18th amendment to the constitution.
- Subsequently, she joined the Sri Lanka Freedom Party before retiring from active politics in 2015.
Government Role: In 2014, she was appointed as the Monitoring Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, a role focused on the welfare of Sri Lankan expatriates.

Challenges and Resilience:

Personal Struggles: Upeksha Swarnamali faced personal challenges, including an abusive first marriage and the complexities of public life.
Professional Achievements: Despite the obstacles, she continued to pursue her career in acting, television, and even ventured into politics, leaving a mark in each domain.

Upeksha Swarnamali, popularly known as “Paba,” has led a life marked by resilience, transitioning from a successful actress to a member of parliament.

Her journey reflects the complexities of personal and public life, showcasing her versatility, determination, and commitment to various roles on and off-screen.