Malini Fonseka: A tribute

THE curtain fell on the life of Malini Fonseka, the queen of the Sinhala cinema, who passed away a week ago, bringing to an end the life of one of the most memorable personalities in Sri Lankan cinema. Her captivating smile, her velvety voice and gentle demeanour made her an instant attraction when she first hit the Sinhala silver screen in her debut film ‘Punchi Baba’ in 1968, for which she won the award for the most popular supporting actress presented by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Service.

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This was the beginning of a cinema career that lasted nearly 60 years during which she remained the undisputed queen of the Sinhala cinema, adapting herself to changing times, and taking on a variety of roles that made it impossible to write her off from the Lankan world of celluloid though many newcomers were gaining ground.

She was born Wanniarachchilage Malani Senehelatha Fonseka on 30 April 1947 to Gilbert and Sweelawathie Fonseka at Peliyagoda, the third in the family of 11 and the couple’s first daughter. According to her official website, her parents took her horoscope to an astrologer who predicted that she would one day reign as a queen in the country, a prediction that no doubt pleased her parents.

She had her early education at St. John's College Nugegoda where she studied till the fifth grade and when her parents moved house to Kelaniya Wedamulla, she was enrolled at Gurukula Maha Vidyalaya where she completed her education.