Malini Fonseka facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hon. Malini Fonseka මාලිනී ෆොන්සේකා மாலினி பொன்சேகா
Fonseka in 1976
Member of Parliament for National List
In office 22 April 2010 – 26 June 2015
Personal details
Born	Wanni Arachchige Malini Senehelatha Fonseka (1947-04-30)30 April 1947 Peliyagoda, Kelaniya, British Ceylon
Died	24 May 2025(2025-05-24) (aged 78) Colombo, Sri Lanka
Nationality	Sri Lankan
Political party	United People's Freedom Alliance
Spouses	Upali Senanayake ​ ​ (m. 1965; div. 1973)​ Lucky Dias ​ ​ (m. 1986; div. 2011)​
Parents	Gilbert Fonseka (father) Seelwathie Fonseka (mother)
Relatives	Damayanthi Fonseka (sister) Prasanna Vithanage (brother-in-law) Samanalee Fonseka (niece) Senali Fonseka (niece)
Occupation	Actress
Awards	Sarasaviya Best Actress Award Sarasaviya Most Popular Actress Award

Wanniarachchige Malini Senehelatha Fonseka, (Sinhala: මාලිනී ෆොන්සේකා; Tamil: மாலினி பொன்சேகா; 30 April 1947 – 24 May 2025), popularly known as Malini Fonseka, was a Sri Lankan actress, theatre artist, director and politician. Often dubbed the "Queen of Sri Lankan Cinema", Fonseka first became widely known when she won the Best Actress Award at the 1969 National State Drama Festival, followed by a Sarasaviya Best Actress Awards for Hingana Kolla in 1980, Aradhana in 1982 and Yasa Isuru in 1983.

A veteran actress with a career spanning seven decades, she made her debut in Sri Lankan cinema with Tissa Liyansooriya's Punchi Baba in 1968. She had also broke records by winning the Slim Nielsen Peoples' Award for the Most Popular Actress twelve times in a row. In 2010, she was named by CNN as one of Asia's 25 greatest film actors of all time.

She was a former Minister of the Sri Lankan Parliament, a position offered in appreciation of her strong support for president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Biography

Early life

She was born as the third of eleven siblings to Gilbert Fonseka, a Government Press worker and Seelwathie Fonseka at Peliyagoda, Kelaniya. After her birth, her family moved to Jambugasmulle, Nugegoda. In 1952, she started her education at St. John's College, Nugegoda until grade 5 and continued at Gurukula Maha Vidyalaya until the end of her secondary education.

Family background

Three of her sisters – Sriyani, Rasadari, Damayanthi – and two of her brothers – Dayananda and Ananda – are a part in the cinema industry.

Like her siblings, Malini's several relatives are in the Sinhala film industry. Actor Karunarathna Hangawaththa and Director Prasanna Vithanage are her brothers-in-law, Actresses Samanalee Fonseka and Senali Fonseka are her nieces, Actor Ashan is her nephew and Actress Kushenya Sayumi of Rookada Panchi fame is her grandniece. Apart from her popular nieces, Samanalee and Senali, five of her other nieces – Shivanya, Ruwani, Tharindi, Manori and Sanduni – are also in the drama industry.

Her older brother Dayananda died in 2012 and her other brothers Ananda and Upali, father of Senali, died in 2020.

Political life

In April 2010, she was appointed to the Sri Lanka Parliament as a Parliamentary Member of United People's Freedom Alliance.

Career

Fonseka started her acting career with stage dramas with "Noratha Ratha" in 1963. In 1968, Fonseka won a national award for Best Stage Drama Actress for her performance in Akal Wessa. She later played the lead role in 14 stage dramas. She entered the cinema industry through one of her brothers, Ananda Fonseka, who was both a film director and producer, and was introduced as a cinema actress by Tissa Liyansuriya and Joe Abeywickrama.

She made her film debut with Tissa Liyansuriya's Punchi Baba (The little Baby) in 1968, followed by Abudasse kale, Dahasak Sithuwili and Adarawanthayo in the same year. The success of these movies led her to be cast as the lead role by several movie directors of the time. Fonseka acted in over 140 movies thereafter, some of which were international movies. She paired up with popular Indian Tamil actor, Sivaji Ganeshan in Pilot Premnath in 1978. Her career was enhanced by her work alongside Gamini Fonseka who had a long journey in the history of the silver screen in Sri Lanka. At his funeral in 2004, Fonseka stated "His performance had appeal across the board and I had the good fortune of being associated with Gamini. The cinema of that era is slowly fading away and the passing away of Gamini is another step towards that direction".

Some of her successful films are Nidhanaya by Lester James Peiris, Siripala Saha Ranmenika by Amaranath Jayathilake, Eya Den Loku Lamayek and Bambaru Ewith by Dharmasena Pathiraja. She achieved a significant milestone with Sasara Chetana in 1984 as both the director and the producer. Her directorial venture saw two other films: Ahimsa in 1987 and Sthree in 1991. Later on, she also worked in the television industry. Fonseka was praised for her performance in Manalada Puthe Kiri Dunne, Pitagamkarayo, Kemmura, and Ambu Daruwo teledramas. She won the Sumathi Best Teledrama Actress Awards for her roles in Pitagamkarayo and Kemmura.

She became the first female teledrama director in the history of Sri Lankan teledramas when she both directed and acted in her first teledrama Nirupamala. She further solidified her mark as a teledrama director with successful creations such as Sanasili Suwanda. She also acted in the Buddhist dramatic film Uppalawanna directed by Sunil Ariyaratne.

In 2024, Malini Fonseka took on an incredible role in the music video for Eya Wasanthaya Nowe (එය වසන්තය නොවේ) by the promising young vocalist Chapa Jayaruk. Her performance in the video was widely praised, showcasing her superb acting skills and adding another remarkable achievement to her illustrious career. The music video, which highlights Fonseka's emotional depth and versatility, became popular for both its storyline and her captivating presence.

Death

Fonseka died at the age of 78 on 24 May 2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, while receiving treatment at a hospital.

Awards

Malani Fonseka won Special Jury Award for the film Akasa Kusum (Flowers of the Sky) at the 2008 International Film Festival of India

Fonseka was the first Sri Lankan actress to reach international heights and earn international recognition, winning a special Jury award at the Moscow International Film Festival in 1975; a first of her many international awards. She also won an award at the New Delhi Film Festival in 1977.

Apart from the many Sarasaviya Awards, Presidential Awards, OCIC Awards and others for her cinematic miles, she has also received awards including the "Best Actress Award" for the teledrama "Kemmura" at the Sumathi Tele Awards Ceremony, 2000 and Wishva Prasadhini Award as appreciation of her service to the cinema industry from the President of Sri Lanka in 1996.

A felicitation ceremony titled Maliniye was held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) on 30 April 2003 with the participation of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to honour Fonseka for her four long decades of contribution to the Cinema of Sri Lanka in more than 150 films.

In January 2008, Sri Lankans living in the United States gathered in large numbers at Los Angeles to honour her, alongside a special dinner hosted by the Consular General of Sri Lanka to the Consulate in Los Angeles, Jaliya Wickramasuriya and his wife, followed by an honouring ceremony where she was awarded an Appreciative Plaque by the Consulate General. In 2019, she was honored with Janabhimani Honorary Award at the BMICH.

Deepashika Award Festival

Sarasaviya Awards

Vanitha Viththi Award Festival

Presidential Film Awards

SIGNIS OCIC Awards

UNDA Awards

Sumathi Awards

Navaliya Vendol Film Awards

Other Local Awards

International Awards

Filmography

Since her first film in 1968, she had acted in more than 150 films through 6 decades.‹The template Deprecated source is being considered for merging.› 

• No. denotes the Number of Sri Lankan film in the Sri Lankan cinema.

Key

Denotes films that have not yet been released

Year	No.	Film	Role	Notes
1968	182	Punchi Baba	Mala
1968	184	Abudasse kale
1968	196	Adarawanthayo	Sumana
1968	194	Dahasak Sithuvili	Lalith's sister
1969	204	Kawda Hari	Subha
1969	214	Prawesam Wanna	Geetha Basnayake
1969	215	Parawalalu
1970	223	Dan Mathakada	Sandya Amunugama
1970	224	Akkara Paha	Kumari
1971	241	Hathara Denama Surayo	Nilmini
1971	249	Maahene Ririyaka	Leela Livera
1971	242	Abirahasa	Lover
1971	247	Samanala Kumariyo
1972	250	Nidhanaya	Irene Abeynayake
1972	251	Sahanaya	Rupa
1972	266	Adare Hithenawa Dakkama	Deepa
1972	254	Edath Sooraya Adath Sooraya	Kanthi
1972	263	Me Dasa Kumatada	Mala
1973	269	Matara Achchi	Cyril's city co-worker
1973	271	Suhada Pathuma	Chamila
1973	272	Thushara	Thushara
1973	273	Sadahatama Oba Mage
1973	275	Hathdinnath Tharu	Pearli
1973	276	Hondama Welawa
1973	277	Sinawai Inawai
1973	279	Hondai Narakai
1973	280	Daahakin Ekek	Shyama Abeykoon
1973	281	Hondata Hondai	Chammi
1974	282	Ahas Gauwa	Post office co-worker
1974	285	Kasthuri Suwanda	Kanchana
1974	294	Susee	Susee
1974	299	Senakeliya	Tharangani
1975	311	Awa Soya Adare	Nilanthi
1975	313	Kohoma Kiyannada	Samanthi
1975		Sooraya Soorayamai	Nilanthi / Mango 'Nanda'
1975	327	Sadhana
1975	330	Sangeetha	Sangeetha / Geetha (two births)
1975		Nayana
1976	332	Pradeepaya Maa Wewa
1976	335	Kawuda Raja	Chintha
1976		Yar Aval		Tamil dubbed Sinhala Film
1976	336	Wasana	Sudarshi Rajadasa
1976	337	Ganga
1976	342	Diyamanthi	Chitra Saparamandu
1976	348	Unnath Dahai Malath Dahai
1976	351	Onna Mame Kella Panapi
1976	252	Saradiyelge Putha	Subha
1976	356	Adarei Man Adarei
1976	383	Zashis (Rahas Kumanthranaya)
1977	359	Neela
1977	360	Sakunthala
1977	365	Hithuwoth Hithuwamai	Apsara
1977	367	Pembara Madhu	Madhu
1977	368	Deviyani Oba Kohida	Elizabeth
1977	369	Eya Dan Loku Lamayek	Katuwalagedera 'Susila' Susilawathie 'Susee'
1977	376	Siripala Saha Ranmenika	Ranmanika
1978		Pilot Premanath	Premnath's wife.	Indian Tamil Film
1978	388	Vishmaya	Nita 'Manike'
1978	395	Selinage Walawwa	Wimalaa
1978	397	Kundala Keshi	Badhra Kumari 'Kundala Keshi'
1978	399	Weera Puran Appu	Bandara Menike
1978	400	Bambaru Avith	Helen
1978	401	Salee	Salee
1978	406	Sandawata Ran Tharu
1978	407	Apeksha	Niranjala
1978	409	Anupama	Marthaa
1979	416	Hingana Kolla	Lamahami / Nanda
1979	418	Divi Thibena Thuru	Sumana
1979	420	Muwan Palessa	Namali
1979	422	Wasanthaye Dawasak	Mala
1979	421	Malligai Mohini	Tamil film
1979	421	Raan Kurullo	Sujatha 'Kumara Hami'
1979	423	Monarathenna	Sandha
1979	435	Nuwan Renu	Renuka 'Renu'
1980	443	Silva	Kumari
1980	444	Ektam Ge	Mala Pushpalatha
1980	450	Raktha	Raktha
1980	454	Dandu Monara	Anulawathi
1980	358	Raja Dawasak	Ran Manika
1981	474	Beddegama	Punchi Menika
1981	475	Sathweni Dawasa	Agadanna
1981	476	Sayuru Thera	Jocelin
		Hathi Mere Sathi		Hindi Film
1981	478	Bamba Ketu Hati	Dhammi
1981	479	Soldadu Unnehe	Prema 'Akka'
1981	481	Situ Kumariyo
1981	483	Ek Dawasak Re	Asha 'Aashi' Ranaweera
1981	493	Geethika	Samanthi
1981	496	Induta Mal Mitak	Nisansala
1981	499	Aradhana	Jinadari
1981		Pani Malargal		Tamil Film
1982	531	Mihidum Sihina	Veena
1982	508	Bambara Geethaya	Mali
1982	511	Yasa Isuru	Sarojini Wickramasinghe
1982	520	Anuradha	Anuradha
1982	539	Newatha Hamuwemu	Madhuka 'Madhu' Damayanthi
1982		Piya Saha Daruwo
1983	552	Samuganimi Ma Semiyani
1983	557	Thuththiri Mal
1983	563	Loku Thaththa
1983	567	Samanala Sihina
1983	569	Muwan Palessa 3
1983		Peter of the Elephant		Sri Lankan English Film
1984	577	Welle Thanu Maliga	Isabella 'Isa'
1984	589	Bambara Patikki
1984	591	Kokila	Kokila
1984	590	Hithawathiya	Mahesi Jayasekara
1984	593	Sasara Chethana	also as producer.
1984	594	Wadula	Ranmali
1984	603	Sahodariyakage Kathawa
1986	636	Mal Warusa	Sarojini
1986	644	Dewduwa
1986	647	Puja
1986	650	Awurudu Da	Nirupama
1987	662	Kele Kella	Uma 'Kala Kella'
1987	670	Ahinsa	Saroja Madugalla
1988	675	Sandakada Pahana	Malathi 'Mali' Wijebandara
1988	677	Angulimala	Aduruthumiya
1988	678	Newa Gilunath Ban Choon	Deepa / Chapa
1989	690	Shakthiya Obai Amme	Nirmala 'Nimmie' Randeniya
1989	693	Waradata Danduwama
1989	696	Siri Medura	Nirmala Samarawickrama
1990	699	Jaya Shakthi
1990	702	Weera Udara
1990	713	Honda Honda Sellam	Sub Inspector Geeta Randeniya / Neeta
1991	718	Paradeese
1991	724	Hithata Dukak Nathi Miniha	Nirmala
1991	726	Raja Kello	Police officer
1991	728	Madusamaya	Sarojani
1991	737	Sthree	Magihami
1991	738	Suwadena Suwandak
1991		Sihina Ahase Wasanthaya	Madhu
1992	751	Ahimi Dadaman	Rathi
1992	756	Umayangana	Elizabeth
1992	759	Ruamathiyay Neethiyay	Kanchana
1992	763	Sathya	Sathya
1994	803	Sanda Madala	Ekanayake Mudiyanselage Sandalatha 'Sanda'
1994	811	150 Mulleriyawa	Doctor Sujatha / Juliet 'Julie' Fonseka
1997	881	Apaye Thathpara 84000k
1998	901	Anthima Reya	Luxmi
2002	984	Punchi Suranganavi	Sinhala teacher
2003	1020	Vekande Walauwa	Sujatha
2004	1032	Aadaraneeya Wassanaya
2006	1064	Dedunu Wessa
2006	1081	Ammawarune	Sumanawathi
2007	1090	Uppalawanna	Nayaka Meheniya
2008	1111	Aba	Bhadra Kachchayana
2008	1114	Machan	Manoj's mother
2009	1128	Akasa Kusum	Sandhya Rani
2009	1120	Dancing Star	herself. cameo appearance
2011	1166	Selvam	Madhuvani
2012	1180	Prathiroo	Leelawathi
2015		Bhavatharana
2016	1265	Sarigama	Matron
2020		Rookada Panchi	School principal
2022		Bhavatharana
TBA		Udu Sulanga
TBA		Prathiravaya
TBA		Muthuetaye Modayo
TBA		Ayu
TBA		Monara Vilak

Director and actor