Malini Fonseka facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hon. Malini Fonseka
Fonseka in 1976
Member of Parliament for National List
In office 22 April 2010 – 26 June 2015
Personal details
Born	Wanniarachchige 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

Malini Fonseka (born April 30, 1947 – died May 24, 2025) was a famous Sri Lankan actress, theater artist, director, and politician. Many people called her the "Queen of Sri Lankan Cinema" because her acting career lasted for over 60 years.

She first appeared in a Sri Lankan movie called Punchi Baba in 1968. Later, in 2010, CNN named her one of Asia's 25 greatest film actors of all time.

Malini Fonseka became well-known after winning the Best Actress Award at the 1969 National State Drama Festival. She also won several Sarasaviya Best Actress Awards for her roles in movies like Hingana Kolla (1980), Aradhana (1982), and Yasa Isuru (1983). She even set a record by winning the Most Popular Actress award twelve times in a row!

Malini Fonseka's Life Story

Early Years and Family Life

Malini Fonseka was born in Peliyagoda, Kelaniya, as the third of eleven children. Her father, Bandu Arachchige Gilbert Fonseka, worked at a government printing press, and her mother was Seelwathie Fonseka.

After she was born, her family moved to Jambugasmulle, Nugegoda. She started school in 1952 at Samudradevi Balika Vidyalaya and later went to Kelaniya Gurukula Maha Vidyalaya. Even when she was very young, she showed her acting talent by playing an older woman in a short play called "Hiru Awara Giyado."

Many of Malini's family members are also involved in the film industry. Three of her sisters – Sriyani, Rasadari, and Damayanthi – and two of her brothers – Dayananda and Ananda – are part of the cinema world. Her nieces, Samanalee Fonseka and Senali Fonseka, are also well-known actresses.

Political Journey

In April 2010, Malini Fonseka became a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. She was chosen as a National List MP for the United People's Freedom Alliance. This happened because she supported the president at that time, Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Her Passing

Malini Fonseka passed away on May 24, 2025, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, at the age of 78. She was receiving treatment at a hospital. Her body was displayed for public viewing at her home and then moved to the National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Her funeral was held with full state honors on May 26, 2025, at Independence Square in Colombo.

Malini Fonseka's Acting Career

Malini Fonseka began her acting journey in stage plays in 1963 with Noratha Ratha. In 1968, she won a national award for Best Stage Drama Actress for her role in Akal Wessa. Between 1963 and 1969, she played the main character in 14 different stage dramas.

Her talent in the play Akal Wessa caught the attention of film directors. She entered the film industry with the help of her brother, Ananda Fonseka, who was a film director. Her first film was Tissa Liyansuriya's Punchi Baba (Little Baby) in 1968, where she won an award for Best Supporting Actress.

She acted in over 140 movies, including some international ones. She even worked with the famous Indian Tamil actor, Sivaji Ganeshan, in the film Pilot Premnath in 1978. Her career grew stronger by working with Gamini Fonseka, another legendary actor in Sri Lankan cinema.

Malini Fonseka was most popular in the 1970s and 1980s. She worked with famous directors like Lester James Peries and Dharmasena Pathiraja. She was known for setting fashion trends with her hairstyles and clothing in movies.

She played important roles in many artistic films, such as Nidhanaya (as Irene), Siripala Saha Ranmenika (as Ranmenika), Eya Den Loku Lamayek (as Susila), and Bambaru Ewith (as Helen). In the film Sally, she played one character with five different looks, showing her amazing acting range.

Malini Fonseka was also the first actress to play an action hero in Sri Lankan cinema, in the film Raktha. In 1984, she achieved a big goal by directing and producing the film Sasara Chetana. This film won the Sarasaviya Award for Best Action film and was very successful. She also directed three other films: Ahimsa (1987), Sthree (1991), and Sanda Madala (1994).

She also worked in television, becoming the first female teledrama director in Sri Lankan history with Nirupa Mala. She won Sumathi Best Teledrama Actress Awards for her roles in Pitagamkarayo and Kemmura. In 2024, she appeared in a music video for the song Eya Wasanthaya Nowe, which was highly praised.

Awards and Recognition

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

Malini Fonseka won over 40 awards during her career, making her the most awarded Sri Lankan film actress ever. She was the first Sri Lankan actress to gain international recognition, winning a special Jury award at the Moscow International Film Festival in 1975. She also received an honorary doctorate from the University of the Visual and Performing Arts.

In 2010, CNN named her one of Asia's 25 Greatest Film Actors of All Time, and she was the only Sri Lankan on that list.

Besides many Sarasaviya Awards, Presidential Awards, and OCIC Awards, she also received the "Best Actress Award" for the teledrama "Kemmura" at the Sumathi Tele Awards Ceremony in 2000. In 1996, the President of Sri Lanka gave her the Wishva Prasadhini Award for her great service to the cinema industry.

On April 30, 2003, a special event called Maliniye was held at the BMICH to celebrate Malini Fonseka's four decades of contributions to Sri Lankan cinema.

In 2019, she was honored with the Janabhimani Honorary Award at the BMICH.

Awards She Won

Malini Fonseka received many awards throughout her career, including:

• Deepashika Award Festival:

* Most Popular Actress: 1973, 1974 (for Nidhanaya)

• Sarasaviya Awards:

* Most Popular Actress: 1975, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 * Best Actress: 1980 (for Hingana Kolla), 1982 (for Aradhana), 1983 (for Yasa Isuru)

• Vanitha Viththi Award Festival:

* Most Popular Lady: 1992, 1993

• Presidential Film Awards:

* Best Actress: 1980 (for Bambaru Awith), 1981 (for Wasanthaye Dawasak), 1983 (for Aradhana), 2004 (for Wekanda Walawwa), 2006 (for Ammawarune)

• SIGNIS OCIC Awards:

* Best Creative Actress: 1978, 1981 (for Dandu Monara) * Creative Female Acting: 1981, 1992 (for Madhu Samaya)

• UNDA Awards:

* Best Actress: 1993 (for Mahamera Pamula), 1997 (for Pitagamkarayo), 2007 (for Sisila Ima)

• Sumathi Awards:

* Best Actress: 1998 (for Pitagamkarayo), 2002 (for Kemmura)

• Navaliya Vendol Film Awards:

* Appealing Film Actress: 2006, 2007, 2008

• Other Local Awards:

* State Drama Festival: Best Actress (1968 for Akal Wessa) * Broadcasting Awards: Best Supporting Actress (1969 for Punchi Baba) * Reviewers Film Awards: Best Actress (1973 for Nidhanaya) * Swarna Sanka Film Awards: Best Actress (1992 for Madhu Samaya) * Prathibha Prabha Award (2016 for Contribution to Cinema) * Lifetime Achievement Award (2018 at Derana Film Awards) * Hiru Golden Lifetime Award (2018)

• International Awards:

* 9th Moscow International Film Festival: Honorary Diploma Certificate (1976) * 6th Indian International Film Festival: Honorary Diploma Certificate (1978 for Siripala Saha Ranmenika) * 39th International Indian Film Festival: Silver Peacock Award and Certificate for Best Performance (2009 for Akasa Kusum) * 7th Levanthe International Film Festival: Best Actress (2010 for Akasa Kusum) * Kandy International Film Festival: Excellence in Outstanding Achievement in Film (2012)

Malini Fonseka's Filmography

Malini Fonseka acted in over 150 films during her long career. Here are some of her notable roles:

As Director and Actor

Malini Fonseka also directed and sometimes produced her own films: