| Jemini Kantha ජෙමිනි කාන්තා | |
| Birth Date: | 20 February 1925 |
| Birth Name: | Nona Yuhan Sheriffdeen |
| Birth Place: | Matale, Sri Lanka |
| Death Place: | Rome, Italy |
| Nationality: | Sri Lankan |
| Years Active: | 1947–1954 |
| Other Names: | Jemini Kantha |
| Occupation: | Actress |
Nona Yuhan Sheriffdeen (born 20 February 1925 – died 22 June 1992 as ජෙමිනි කාන්තා) [Sinhala]), popularly as stage name Jemini Kantha, was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema.[1] One of the earliest pillars of Sinhala cinema, Kantha is considered as the first female comedian in Sinhala cinema. She was a pioneer comedy actress[2] known as "Josi Baba" and singer in early Sri Lankan cinema.[3]
Gemini Kantha was born on 20 February 1925 in Meewakkumbura village in Matale to a Malay father.[4]
After the end of school life, Kantha joined the B. A. W. Jayamanne's Minerva Drama Group. She won a reputation as a singer who sang for the discs during the Gramophone era along with Eddie Jayamanne, Mohideen Baig and A.M.U Raj.[5] She became the first comic actress in Sri Lankan cinema with the role of "Josi baba" in Sri Lanka's first film Kadawunu Poronduwa in 1947. She also sang the song Nonage Ale Ge Meda Sale with Eddie Jayamanne.[6]
She has acted in only seven films in a short span of 8 years. She quit cinema after having her first child.[7] She also starred in Bennett Rathnayake's teledrama Tharu, which was her last appearance in career.
| Year | Film | Role | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | Kadawunu Poronduwa | Josi baba | ||
| 1948 | Kapati Arakshakaya | Supina | ||
| 1948 | Weradunu Kurumanama | Maria | ||
| 1949 | Peralena Iranama | Pabi Nona | ||
| 1953 | Prema Tharagaya | Podihamy | ||
| 1953 | Sujatha | Emily | ||
| 1954 | Warada Kageda | |||
| 1982 | Kadawunu Poronduwa remake | Song Performer |