Umara Sinhawansa


Umara Sinhawansa is a Sri Lankan singer-songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer. She gained prominence as a frequent collaborator with the musical duo Bathiya and Santhush before establishing a career as a solo artist. In 2017, she founded the music academy Umara Music Studio.
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Early life

Umara Sinhawansa was born into a family of professional musicians. Her father is Tony Sinhawansa, and her mother is Ayesha Sinhawansa. She has one sister, Umaria Sinhawansa, who is also a singer, and two brothers. Sinhawansa was educated at the Muslim Ladies’ College in Colombo. She represented Sri Lanka in three international singing competitions. She won 3rd place at the 2011 Crimea Music Fest and 1st place at the All-Island Singing Competition of Sri Lanka with her sister Umaria.

Career

Sinhawansa made her first professional recording at the age of 10 with her sister Umaria, and gave her first public performance at the age of 13. She later collaborated with the singing duo Bathiya and Santhush. Her singles include "Wassanayata", "Shaheena", "Sihina Ko", and "Malak Thibuna", a duet with Chithral Somapla.
After returning to Sri Lanka in 2017, Sinhawansa launched her academy, Umara Music Studio, which provides music and vocal training to students of all ages.

National anthem controversy

On 30 July 2023, Sinhawansa performed at the opening ceremony of Lanka Premier League cricket tournament held at R. Premadasa Stadium with singers Yohani and Chitral Somapala. Sinhawansa faced scrutiny for her rendition of "Sri Lanka Matha", the Sri Lankan national anthem.
Public opinion was divided. Critics accused her of distorting the lyrics by changing the word "matha" to "mahatha". Others criticized her operatic and westernized singing style, arguing it deviated from traditional performances of the anthem. Public figures, such as fellow singer Ashanthi De Alwis and MP Chamathka Ratnayake of Samagi Jana Balawegaya defended her.
Politicians from the Sri Lankan Buddha Sasana political party and the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government condemned the event as unconstitutional, citing protections of the national anthem included in the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka.
On 31 July 2023, the Public Administration Ministry Secretary Ranjith Asoka issued a gazette announcing a probe to investigate the alleged distortion of the national anthem.
On 2 August 2023, Sinhawansa issued an apology on social media regarding the controversy.

Awards and accomplishments