SHARMILA PERERA (NEE COREA) is the firstborn child of Mayadunne (Snr) and Rita Corea. She is a Senior Research Officer at National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) and has specialised in research into prawn culture. Sharmila read for her B.Sc (Hons) degree at the University of Colombo. She received her secondary education at Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala and CMS Ladies' College, Colombo. Sharmila married Thusitha Perera. Their daughter, Namesha is a student of Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya. Her two siblings are Mayadunne (Jnr) and Priyantha Corea.