Malini Fonseka
The Queen of the Sinhala Cinema (Sri Lanka)
Born Wanni Arachchige Malani Senehelatha FonsekaApril 30, 1947 (1947-04-30) (age 61)
Occupation Film actress
Years active 1968-Present
Spouse(s) Upali Senanayake is the first marriage in 1965, 2nd Lucky Dias
Malani Senehelatha Fonseka (born April 30, 1947 in Kelaniya) is an award-winning Sri Lankan film actress, also known as the "Queen of Sinhalese cinema". 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.won the RAJATHAMAYURA Best Actress Film Award in India National Film Festival -2008
Veteran actress, Malani Fonseka is to receive the Rajatha Mayura award at 39th International Indian Film Festival tonight (Nov. 02nd), for her role in the film \'Akasa Kusum\', directed by Prasanna Withanage.
Speaking to \'Lanka Dissent\', a senior official of the State Film Corporation said that a cash prize of Rs. 4,500,000 would also be awarded to Ms. Fonseka, and that a special reception has been organized at the airport on Dec. 04th to receive her.
Born as the third child to the Gilbert and Seelwathie Fonseka at Peliyagoda, Kelaniya. After Malini was born, her family moved to Jambugasmulle, Nugegoda. In 1952 she started her education at St. Johns College Nugegoda until the 5th grade. After moving the family to Wedamulle, Kelaniya she was enrolled at Gurukula Maha Vidyalaya, Kelaniya until completing her education
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 Abuddassa 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.
