TV Times

TV Times

Malani:The evergreen star of Sri Lankan cinema
Malani Senehelatha Fonseka, introduced herself to the theatre acting in 'Noratha Ratha' in 1963 which followed a successful stage career culminating in 14 plays the following five years.

Making her debut in the film 'Punchi Baba' in 1968 she has acted in 142 films during her 36-year cinematic career in addition to many other roles she played backstage on both the silver and small screen.

During this time she won almost all the annual awards in various categories in the local scene in addition to being 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.

Some of the local awards she won are the Deepashika awards for the most popular actress, Presidential awards for the Best actress, and Sarasavi awards for both Popular and Best actress on many occasions. Malani also was honoured with OCIC and Swarna Sanka awards for her talented and creative acting ability.

Without any formal schooling in cinematic skills she displayed her inborn talent for acting in almost all the roles she played on screen. Some of the directors who recognised this rare talent and used the inborn gift for their artistic directions are Dr. Lester James Peries, Dharmasena Pathiraja, Wasantha Obeysekera, Sugathapala Senarath Yapa, Amaranath Jayathilake, Sunil Ariyaratne, Wijeya Dharmasri and Parakrama Niriella.

Some of the popular and well-known films Malani acted in are 'Nidhanaya', 'Udu Sulanga', 'Siri Medura', 'Induta Malmitak', 'Anthima Re' 'Thushara', 'Adare Hithenawa Dekkama' 'Suhada Pathum', 'Aradana', 'Hingana Kolla, 'Madu Samaya', 'Susi', 'Kawda Rajah', 'Kasthuri Suwanda', 'Siripala and Ranmenika', 'Wasana', 'Edath Suraya Adath Suraya and Hathara Denama Surayo'.

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