Sarala Kariyawasam, Born July 25, is a Sri Lankan child actress. A student of Sangamitta Balika Vidyalaya, Sarala is the first Sri Lankan child artiste to make an international debut. Currently she hosts a children's TV show in Sri Lanka.

Hollywood’s Young Artist Foundation has presented the Best Child Actor of the World in an international feature film Award to Sarala, for her role of a child widow (Chuyia) in the award-winning film-maker Deepa Mehta's controversial film, Water

Sarala was selected from out of fifty girls and auditioned by Mehta for this challenging role. She was eight years when she acted but proved to be the most suitable to take up the lead role of the film according to Mehta. Before taking up her role in 'Water', she has acted in several stage plays in school and had recently won first place in an all island dancing, singing and speech competition.

She says that she wants to concentrate on her studies, so has turned down many acting offers.