Hollywood had the legendary Marilyn Monroe who was known for her mesmerising screen presence. In Bollywood, we had the first female superstar Sridevi who has often been referred to as the ‘Indian Marilyn Monroe’ due to the similar impact she had on the reel. Sri Lanka does not fall short of this. The country has produced its own female cinema icon – Malini Senehelatha Fonseka.
Revered as the ‘Queen of Sinhala Cinema’, only a few names shone as bright as this female superstar of the local film industry. Trailblazing through more than five decades and giving life to many significant characters in the film industry, Malini’s contribution to the silver screen is unparalleled. She managed to captivate several generations of movie buffs with her beauty, charm, emotional depth and acting prowess. Her career is a testament not only to her talent but to her unwavering dedication to storytelling, culture, and the evolving soul of Sri Lankan society.
This beautiful soul, fondly known as the Screen Queen of Sri Lankan cinema, passed away at the age of 78 on May 24 after a brief illness. She began her entrance to the film industry humbly. Born in the culturally and historically rich town of Kelaniya on April 30, 1947, she showed early signs that she was destined for great things. It was stated on her official website that her parents had gone to an astrologer to have her horoscope read a few days after she was born and he predicted that one day she would become a queen.
True to these words, she soon began developing a love towards art from a young age. One of the biggest assets she had was growing up in a large family. She was the third child of a family of eleven siblings. Her parents were Gilbert Fonseka, a Government Press worker and Seelwathie Fonseka, a homemaker. She was a product of St. John’s College, Nugegoda, and Gurukula Maha Vidyalaya, Kelaniya.
First to the stage
Her first brush with acting began with the stage play ‘Noratha Ratha’ when she was at Gurukula Maha Vidyalaya. Another stage drama directed by Dharmadasa Jayaweera titled ‘Akal Wessa’ put her in the limelight. She won the Best Actress award for her performance in the drama at the State Drama Festival in 1965.
In the 1960s, she initially gained recognition through taking part in beauty pageants, where she won titles like “Lassana Muhuna” (Beautiful Face), which helped her become noticed and get access to the movie scene. Her first film was 1968’s ‘Punchi Baba’ and though it was not a real hit, Malini’s presence was noticed. It wasn’t long before she got her breakthrough in movies like ‘Abudasse Kale’, ‘Dahasak Sithuwili’ and ‘Adarawanthayo’. With the success of these films – a star was born.
Malini became a household name and shining star when she delivered an outstanding performance in Dharmasena Pathiraja’s ‘Eya Dan Loku Lamayek’. This film earned her an award at the 1975 Moscow Film Festival. Her rise in the film scene was swift and spectacular thence. She was already well-known by the early 1970s and had offers flooding to play characters in movies.
A pivotal moment in her career was working with the renowned filmmaker Lester James Peries in ‘Nidhanaya’. It is considered to be among the best films in Sri Lankan cinema. Soon more hits such as Tissa Abeysekera’s ‘Pitagamkarayo’ and Amaranath Jayathilake’s ‘Siripala Saha Ranmenika’ followed. She demonstrated her versatility and capacity to adjust to roles in a cinema career spanning nearly six decades, acting in more than 150 films, directing and producing a few and even taking part in a handful of teledramas.
Another interesting aspect of this iconic actress is that she was a part of two eras in the local cinema scene, starring opposite titans like Gamini Fonseka and Vijaya Kumaratunga. She also co-starred opposite stalwarts such as Joe Abeywickrama, Tony Ranasinghe, Ravindra Randeniya, Sanath Gunatillake and was even paired up with renowned Indian star Sivaji Ganeshan in ‘Pilot Premnath’ in 1978.
Diverse characters
Malini’s range of diverse characters distinguished her from many of her peers. She showed the same level of conviction whether she was the tragic heroine, the powerful metropolitan woman, the innocent rural girl, or the rebel against social standards. Many people of all ages and backgrounds related to her because of her roles in films like ‘Senehasa’, ‘Madol Duwa’, ‘Ahasin Polowata’, ‘Kelimadala’, and ‘Yuganthaya’, each of which represented a distinct aspect of the Sri Lankan woman’s life. As the Screen Queen of the local cinema industry, she ruled the industry throughout the 1970s and 80s. She was known as the face of Sri Lankan cinema and the epitome of beauty. She was not only a star but a woman who brought sensitivity, intelligence and strength to her characters.
She frequently chose characters who defied conventional preconceptions, particularly during a period when women were frequently marginalised in movies. Her art provided a voice to women battling persecution, identity, love, and power in a shifting cultural environment.
Taking to directing and producing in 1987, Malini brought forth ‘Ahinsa’, a powerful portrayal of political violence in the nation. Her decision to focus on behind-the-scenes work showed her dedication to provoking discussion and thinking in addition to providing entertainment. Her service to the industry was reflected in the awards she had won – national awards and international accolades like the Silver Peacock Award at the 41st International Film Festival of India (IFFI) held in Goa.
She also became a jury member at the 39th International Film Festival of India in 2008. Her films have been screened in many international film festivals in countries across the world during the past years. In 1996, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga bestowed upon her the national honour of Wishva Prasadhini, and in 2010, she received a doctorate from the University of Visual and Performing Arts.
As an MP
She served in Parliament as a National List MP from 2010 to 2015 after being nominated as a United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP. During her time in Parliament, she worked towards getting more Governmental support for the arts and brought attention to the problems faced by both artistes as well as the crew linked with the film business.
Malini headed a family of members linked with the film industry. Three of her sisters, Sriyani, Rasadari, and Damayanthi, have worked in the film industry. Two of her brothers, Dayananda and Ananda, too had links in the local cinema scene. Several of Malini’s relatives work in the Sinhala cinema business. Actor Ashan is her nephew. Actress Kushenya Sayumi of ‘Rookada Panchi’ fame is her granddaughter. Actresses Samanalee and Senali Fonseka are her nieces. Director Prasanna Vithanage and actor Karunarathna Hangawaththa are her brothers-in-law. Five of her nieces, Shivanya, Ruwani, Tharindi, Manori, and Sanduni have also been involved in this field.
Malini’s versatility is what sets her legacy apart from all those who serve the film industry during her time. She flourished during Sri Lanka’s cinema’s golden period, but she has maintained her relevance in the digital age by embracing contemporary narrative without sacrificing her creative integrity.
She is the embodiment of both the past and the present, of development and history. Through nearly sixty years, the local film buffs did not just watch her – they also grew up with her. Her films are played at family gatherings, remembered in classrooms, and celebrated in festivals. In a nation where cinema is often a mirror of collective memory, Malini’s face will be forever etched in the sands of time in the local cinematic history.
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April 30, 1947
Born as Wanniarachchige Malini Senehelatha Fonseka at Peliyagoda, Kelaniya.
She was the third of 11 siblings to Gilbert and Seelwathie Fonseka.
1952–1960s
Began primary education at St. John’s College, Nugegoda, and completed secondary education at Gurukula Maha Vidyalaya, Kelaniya.
1963
Staged debut in the drama ‘Noratha Ratha’.
1965
Won the Best Actress award at the State Drama Festival for her role in ‘Akal Wessa’.
1968
Film debut in ‘Punchi Baba’ directed by Tissa Liyansooriya.
Acted in ‘Abudasse Kale’, ‘Dahasak Sithuwili’, and ‘Adarawanthayo’.
1969
Won the Best Actress award at the National State Drama Festival.
1973–1986
Won the Award for the Most Popular Actress several times at Deepashika and Sarasaviya Awards.
Starred in films like ‘Nidhanaya’, ‘Siripala Saha Ranmenika’, ‘Bambaru Awith’ and ‘Eya Den Loku Lamayek’ which were milestones in the local film scene. She also starred in ‘Pilot Premnath’ alongside Sivaji Ganeshan.
1975
Won Special Jury Award at the Moscow International Film Festival – the first international award for a Sri Lankan artiste.
1977
Represented Sri Lanka at the New Delhi Film Festival.
1980–1986
Won multiple Sarasaviya, presidential, and SIGNIS (OCIC) Best Actress awards for films such as ‘Hingana Kolla’, ‘Aradhana’, ‘Yasa Isuru’, ‘Wasanthaye Dawasak’, ‘Bambaru Awith’ and ‘Dandu Monara’.
1984
Made directorial debut with ‘Sasara Chetana’, where she also served as producer.
Later directed ‘Ahimsa’ (1986) and ‘Sthree’ (1992).
1990s
Transitioned into television, acting in and directing award-winning teledramas like ‘Nirupamala’, ‘Sanasili Suwanda’, ‘Pitagamkarayo’ and ‘Kemmura’.
Became the first female teledrama director in Sri Lanka.
Won Sumathi, UNDA, and OCIC awards for her teledrama performances.
1996
Received the Wishva Prasadhini Presidential Award for lifetime contribution to cinema.
2003
A felicitation ceremony titled ‘Maliniye’ was held at the BMICH with President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to mark 40 years in cinema.
2004
Won the Presidential Best Actress Award for Wekanda Walawwa.
2006–2008
Continued to win accolades for ‘Ammawarune’, ‘Sisila Ima’ and more.
Won Special Jury Award for Akasa Kusum (Flowers of the Sky) at the 41st International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
2010
Elected as a National List Member of Parliament representing the United People’s Freedom Alliance.
Named by CNN as one of Asia’s 25 Greatest Actors of All Time—the only Sri Lankan on the list.
May 24, 2025
Passed away at the age of 78 while receiving treatment for an illness at a hospital in Colombo
