Malini Fonseka
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Malani Fonseka (born April 30, 1947) is a Sri Lankan film actress, once known as the "Queen of Sinhalese cinema"[citation needed]. Her career has spanned many decades, and includes films released from 1968 to 2003.
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[edit] Background
Born to Gilbert and Seelwathie Fonseka as Wanni Arachchige Malani Senehelatha Fonseka, she studied at St. John's College, Nugegoda until Grade 5, and then at Gurukula Maha Vidyalaya, Kelaniya. On June 12, 1986, she married Lucky Dias, a veteran Cinema and teledrama actor and producer.
[edit] Career
Fonseka started her acting career with stage dramas. In 1963, she made her entry to stage dramas with "Noratha Ratha". In 1968, Malani won the best stage drama actress national award for her performance in Akal Wessa. Malani has since played the lead role in 14 stage dramas. Malani 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 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 that time. Malani has acted in 137 movies since then, some of which were international movies. Gamini Fonseka's Parasathu Mal, Sugatha Senerath Yapa's Hantane Kathawa, Nidhanaya by Lester James Peiris, Sumitra Peiris's Gehanu Lamai and Bambaru Ewith by Dharmasena Pathiraja are the most talked about. She marked a significant line in her artisic career with Sasara Chetana in 1984, where she became both its director and producer. Later on, she also worked in the television industry.
[edit] Awards
Malani was the first Sri Lankan actress to reach international heights, winning awards at the Moscow International Film Festival in 1975 and the New Delhi Film Festival in 1977.
Fonseka has won the Sarasaviya Awards several times together with 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.
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
[edit] Filmography
| Title | Year | Director | Other Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muthu Etaye Modayo | 2004 | Giwantha Arthasad | |
| Prathirawaya | 2004 | Jayantha Das Perera | |
| Udu Sulanga | 2004 | H.D. Premaratne | |
| Wekanda Walawwa | 2004 | Lester James Peiris | |
| Punchi Suranganawi | 2002 | Somarathne Dissanayake | |
| Anthima Reya | 1998 | Gamini Fonseka | |
| Apaye Thathpara Asuharadhahak | 1996 | Dinesh Priyasad | |
| Muthu Etaye Modayo | 1994 | Somapala Leelananda | |
| Sandamadala | 1994 | Malani Fonseka | |
| Sathya | 1992 | Ranjith Siriwardena | |
| Roomathiyayi Neethiyayi | 1992 | M. Arukgoda | |
| Umayangana | 1992 | Ananda Fonseka | |
| Ahimi Dadaman | 1992 | Danny w. Pathirana | |
| Suwadena Suwandak | 1991 | Milton Jayawardena | |
| Sthree | 1991 | Malani Fonseka | |
| Madusamaya | 1991 | K.A. Wijeratne | |
| Raja Kello | 1991 | Shirley P. Wijeratne | |
| Hithata Dukak Nathi Minisa | 1991 | Dinesh Priyasad | |
| Paradeese | 1991 | Dinesh Priyasad | |
| Honda Honda Sellam | 1990 | Dinesh Priyasad | |
| Weerodara | 1990 | Shirley P. Wijeratne | |
| Siri Medura | 1988 | Parakrama Niriella | |
| Waradata Danduwam | 1988 | Dinesh Priyasad | |
| Shakthiya Obai Amma | 1989 | Ranga Wijendra and Anton Kingsley | |
| Newa Gilunath Ban Choon | 1988 | Hemasiri Sellaperuma |
