Malini Fonseka

Hon.
Malini Fonseka
මාලිනී ෆොන්සේකා
MP
Malini Fonseka
Member of the Sri Lanka Parliament
for National List
In office
2010–2015
Personal details
Born Wanni Arachchige Malani Senehelatha Fonseka
(1947-04-30) 30 April 1947
Peliyagoda,Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
Nationality Sri Lankan
Spouse(s) Upali Senanayake (m. 1965; div. 1980)
Lucky Dias (m. 1986 ; div. 2011)
Occupation Film actress
Awards Sarasaviya Best Actress Award (1980), (1982), (1983) and Sarasaviya Most Popular Actress Award (1980–1983)

Wanniarachchige Malani Senehelatha Fonseka, popularly as Malani Fonseka (Sinhala:මාලිනී ෆොන්සේකා) (born 30 April 1947 in Kelaniya) is an award-winning Sri Lankan film actress, also known as the "Queen of Sinhalese cinema".[1] Her cinema career which has spanned many decades began with Tissa Liyansooriya's Punchi Baba in 1968. She first earned recognition, when she won the 'Best Actress Award' at the 1969 National State Drama Festival This was followed by Sarasaviya Best Actress Awards for Hingana Kolla in 1980, Aradhana in 1982 and Yasa Isuru in 1983.[2] In 2010 she has been named by CNN as one of Asia's 25 greatest film actors of all time.[3]

Biography

Early life

Born as the third child of eleventh siblings to the Gilbert Fonseka who worked at Government Press and Seelwathie Fonseka at Peliyagoda, Kelaniya. After Malani was born, her family moved to Jambugasmulle, Nugegoda. In 1952 she started her education at St. John's College, Nugegoda until the 5th grade. After moving of the family to Wedamulle, Kelaniya she was enrolled at Gurukula Maha Vidyalaya, Kelaniya until completing her education.[4] Her elderst brother Dayananda Fonseka died in 2012.[5]

Personal life

On 12 June 1986, she married Lucky Dias, a veteran Cinema and teledrama actor and producer. Malani is the sister of actress Damayanthi Fonseka, and also Sriyani Fonseka, Rasadari Fonseka and Ananda Fonseka. She is also the aunt of another actress Samanalee Fonseka, sister-in-law of director Prasanna Vithanage and Karunaratne Hangawatte.

Political life

On April 2010, she was appointed to the Sri Lanka Parliament as a National List of United People's Freedom Alliance.

Career

Fonseka started her acting career with stage dramas. In 1963, she made her entry to stage dramas with "Noratha Ratha". In 1968, Fonseka won the best stage drama actress national award for her performance in Akal Wessa. She has since 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 but was introduced to the cinema itself by Tissa Liyansuriya and Joe Abeywickrama.

She made her debut with Tissa Liyansuriya's Punchi Baba (The little Baby) in 1968. These films were followed by Abudasse kale, Dahasak Sithuwili and Adarawanthayo in the same year. With the critical success she gained with these, she was offered the lead role by several movie directors of the time. Fonseka has acted in over 140 movies since then, some of which were international movies.

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 in her artistic career with Sasara Chetana in 1984, where she became both its director and producer. She has directed two other films so far: Ahimsa in 1987 and Sthree in 1991.

She paired up with popular Tamil actor, Sivaji Ganeshan in Pilot Premnath in 1978.

Later on, she also worked in the television industry. Fonseka has won praise for her performance in Manalada Puthe Kiri Dunne, Pitagamkarayo, Kemmura, and Ambu Daruwo teledramas. She won the Sumathi Best Tele Actress Awards for her roles in Pitagamkarayo and Kemmura.

She has also made her mark as a teledrama director, with successful creations such as Sanasili Suwanda. She even had the honour of being the first female teledrama director in the history of Sri Lanka teledrama history, when she, both directed and acted in her first teledrama Nirupamala.[6]

Her latest film is Uppalawanna directed by Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne.

Malini's career enhanced with Gamini Fonseka and both who had a long journey in history of the silver screen. Malini stated at Gamini's funeral in 2004, "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".[7]

Awards

Fonseka was the first Sri Lankan actress to reach international heights, winning a special Jury award at the Moscow International Film Festival in 1975. This was to be the first of her many international awards. She also won an award at the New Delhi Film Festival in 1977.[8]

Apart from the many Sarasaviya Awards she has won, she has also earned other honours like the Presidential Awards, OCIC Awards and also international recognition.

Her most recent awards include 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 in 1996.

Malini Fonseka felicitation ceremony titled Maliniye held at the BMICH on 30 April 2003 with the participation of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga for her four decades of contribution to the Cinema of Sri Lanka in more than 150 films.[9]

Sri Lankans living in USA gathered in large numbers at Los Angeles to honour legendary actress Malini in January 2008. Also a special dinner hosted by the Consular General of Sri Lanka Jaliya Wickramasuriya and Mrs. Wickramasuriya and the Consulate staff. A special ceremony organised for her to present an Appreciative Plaque by the Consulate General of Los Angeles Jaliya Wickramasuriya with the participation of representative groups of the community, Associations, renowned artists and actors and well wishers and fans of actress Malini Fonseka.[10]

Sarasaviya Awards won by Fonseka:

  • Ranathisara Award, 1985
  • Most Popular Actress, 1983
  • Best Actress Actress – Yasa Isuru, 1982
  • Most Popular Actress, 1982
  • Best Actress Award – Aradhana, 1981
  • Most Popular Actress Award, 1981
  • Most Popular Actress Award, 1980
  • Best Actress Award – Hingana Kolla, 1979

Filmography

Since his first film in 1968, she has acted more than 140 films through 6 decades.[11]

  • No. denotes the Number of Sri Lankan film in the Sri Lankan cinema.[12]
YearNo.FilmRole
1968 182 Punchi Baba Mala
1968 184 Abudasse kale
1968 196 Adarawanthayo Sumana
1968 194 Dahasak Sithuvili Lalith's sister
1969 204 Kauda Hari Subha
1969 214 Prawesam Wanna Geetha Basnayake
1969 215 Parawalalu
1970 223 Dan Mathakada Sandya Amunugama
1970 224 Akkara Paha Kumari
1970 241 Hathara Denama Soorayo Nilmini
1971 249 Maha Hene Riri Yaka Leela Livera
1971 251 Sahanaya Rupa
1971 242 Abirahasa Lover
1971 247 Samanala Kumariyo Samaga Api Kawadath Soorayo
1972 250 Nidhanaya Irene Abeynayake
1972 266 Adare Hithenawa Dakkama
1972 254 Edath Sooraya Adath Sooraya Kanthi
1972 263 Me Dasa Kumatada Mala
1973 269 Mathara Achchi Cyril's city co-worker
1973 271 Suhada Pathum 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
1975 311 Awa Soya Adare
1975 313 Kohoma Kiyannada Samanthi
1975 Sooraya Soorayamai Nilanthi / Mango 'Nanda'
1975 327 Sadana
1975 330 Sangeetha Sangeetha
1976 332 Pradeepe Maa Wewa
1976 335 Kauda Raja Chintha
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
1977 359 Neela
1977 360 Sakunthala
1977 365 Hithuwoth Hithuwamai Apsara
1977 367 Pembara Madhu
1977 368 Deviyani Oba Kohida
1977 369 Eya Dan Loku Lamayek Katuwalagedera 'Susila' Susilawathie 'Susee'
1977 383 Saazish (Rahan Kumanthranaya)
1977 376 Siripala Saha Ranmenika Ranmanika
1978 Pilot Premnath Premnath's wife. Tamil film
1978 388 Wishmaya Nita 'Manike'
1978 395 Selinage Walauwa Wimalaa
1978 397 Kundalakesi Badhra Kumari 'Kundala Keshi'
1978 399 Veera Puran Appu Bandara Menike
1978 400 Bambaru Awith Helen
1978 401 Salee Salee
1978 406 Sandawata Ran Tharu
1978 407 Apeksha Niranjala
1978 409 Anupama Marthaa
1979 416 Hingana Kolla Lamahami
1979 418 Divi Thibena Thuru Sumana
1979 420 Muwan Palessa Namali
1979 422 Wasanthaye Dawasak Mala
1979 Malligai Mohini Tamil film
1979 421 Raan Kurullo Sujatha 'Kumara Hami'
1979 423 Monara Thenna Sandha
1979 435 Nuwan Renu Renuka 'Renu'
1980 443 Silva Kumari
1980 444 Ek Tam Ge Mala Pushpalatha
1980 450 Raktha Raktha
1980 454 Dandu Monara Anulawathi
1980 358 Raja Dawasak Ran Manika
1981 531 Mihidum Sihina Veena
1981 474 Baddegama Punchi Menika
1981 475 Sathweni Dawasa Agadanna
1981 476 Sayuru Thera Jocelin
1981 478 Bamba Ketu Hati Dhammi
1981 479 Soldadu Unnehe Prema 'Akka'
1981 481 Situ Kumariyo
1981 483 Ek Dawasak Rae Asha 'Aashi' Ranaweera
1981 493 Geethika Samanthi
1981 496 Induta Mal Mitak Nisansala
1981 499 Aradhana Jinadari
1982 508 Bambara Geethaya Mali
1982 511 Yasa Isuru Sarojini Wickramasinghe
1982 520 Anuradha
1982 539 Nawatha Hamuwemu Madhuka 'Madhu' Damayanthi
1983 552 Samuganimi Ma Samiyani
1983 557 Thuththiri Mal
1983 563 Loku Thaththa
1983 567 Samanala Sihina
1983 569 Muwan Palessa 3
1983 Peter of the Elephants
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 Devduwa
1986 647 Puja
1986 650 Avurudu Da Nirupama
1987 662 Kala 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 Chun 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 Veera Udara
1990 713 Honda Honda Sellan Sub Inspector Geeta Randeniya / Neeta
1991 718 Paradise
1991 724 Hithata Dukak Nathi Miniha Nirmala
1991 726 Raja Kello
1991 728 Madusamaya
1991 737 Sthree Magihami
1991 738 Suwadena Suwandak
1992 751 Ahimi Dadaman Rathi
1992 756 Umayangana Elizabeth
1992 759 Rumathiyay Neethiyay Kanchana
1992 763 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 Raeya Luxmi
2002 984 Punchi Suranganavi Sinhala teacher
2003 1020 Wekande Walauwa Sujatha
2004 1032 Aadaraneeya Wassaanaya
2006 1064 Dedunu Wessa
2006 1081 Ammawarune Sumanawathi
2007 1090 Uppalawanna Nayaka Meheniya
2008 1111 Aba Bhadra Kachchayana
2008 1114 Machan Manoj's mother
2008 1128 Akasa Kusum Sandhya Rani
2009 1120 Dancing Star herself. cameo appearance
2011 1166 Selvam
2012 1180 Prathiroo Leelawathi
2016 1265 Sarigama Matron

Director and actor

Year Film Note
1984 Sasara Chethana Also as Producer
1987 Ahinsa Also as Producer
1991 Sthree
1994 Sanda Madala Also as Script writer
Awards
Preceded by
Swarna Kahavita
for Binaramalee		 Sarasaviya Best Actress Award
for Hingana Kolle
1980		 Succeeded by
Vasanthi Chathurani
for Ganga Addara
Preceded by
Vasanthi Chathurani
for Ganga Addara		 Sarasaviya Best Actress Award
for Aradhana
1982		 Succeeded by

for
Preceded by

for		 Most Popular Actress Award
for
1980		 Succeeded by

for
Preceded by

for		 Most Popular Actress Award
for
1981		 Succeeded by

for

References

  1. ↑ Malani leaves for London
  2. ↑ "Biography for Malani Fonseka". IMDb. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
  3. ↑ "CNNGo – Asia's 25 greatest actors of all time". Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
  4. ↑ "Biography-1". (Personal Website). 9 February 2008. Archived from the original on 28 March 2009.
  5. ↑ "Malani reminds her brother". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  6. ↑ Malani on Television Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  7. ↑ "Tributes to cinema legend Gamini flow in". BBC News. 30 September 2004.
  8. ↑ "Sri Lankan stars shined at international level". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  9. ↑ "President pays glowing tribute to Malini". Daily News. 2 May 2003. Archived from the original on 20 March 2005.
  10. ↑ "Legendary Screen Actress Malini Fonseka Honoured in Los Angeles". Asiantribune.com. 28 January 2008.
  11. ↑ "මාලිනි ෆොන්සේකා Malini Fonseka". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  12. ↑ "Sri Lankan Cinema History". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
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