Dr. Milina -- the philanthropist who led a Buddhist revival

The late Dr. Milina Sumathipala was an outstanding woman who played a unique role in the religious, social and cultural fields of our country. Her 90th birth anniversary commemoration was held on May 28th at 2.30 pm at the Bandaranaike International Conference Hall, Colombo. This commemoration was in recognition of her national religious and international Buddhist mission as the first President of the All Ceylon Buddhist Conference.

- By. Nishantha Chaminda Peiris

Born in Colombo on May 25, 1935, Dr. Milina studied at Kotahena Central College, Colombo. Encouraged by her father's business activities from a young age, she paved the way for a successful career in her life. Born into a family steeped in art, and showed a strong artistic talent from her school days. Her kind nature and maternal qualities came as a blessing to many.

With the blessings of her parents, she married U. W. Sumathipala, an enthusiastic businessman, on May 11, 1956, and began a new chapter in her life. The union between Sumathipala and Milina became a great social investment for the future.

She was a woman who had a strong love for the cinema since childhood, having watched Kadawunu Poronduwa, the first feature film to be released in Sri Lanka, in 1947. Inspired, she went on to give the country's cinema many excellent films such as Unnath Dahai Malath Dahai, Ahasin Polowata, and Ganga Addara. Films like Duwata Mawaka Misa, Utpalawanna, and Patthini are also notable among her film productions.