The final rites of Sri Lankan cinema icon and veteran actress Malini Fonseka, fondly known as the “Queen of Sri Lankan Cinema,” will be performed with full state honours this evening (May 26) at Independence Square, Colombo.
The late actress’s remains currently lie in state at the Tharangani Hall of the National Film Corporation and are scheduled to be taken to Independence Square, Colombo 07, at 8:00 a.m. today. The public will have the opportunity to pay their final respects between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
At 3:30 p.m., the body will be moved to a special platform prepared for Buddhist religious rites by artists and current and former students of Gurukula College, Kelaniya, where Malini Fonseka studied. The funeral pyre ceremony is scheduled for 5:45 p.m.
In light of the state funeral, the police have announced temporary traffic restrictions around Independence Square. Although no road closures will be enforced, traffic entering Nidahas Mawatha from the Independence Roundabout will be restricted for approximately 15 minutes during the procession from the Ministry of Public Administration Junction to Independence Square.
Malini Fonseka passed away on May 24 at the age of 78 while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.
Her illustrious career began with her Best Actress win at the 1969 National State Drama Festival. She rose to prominence with multiple Sarasaviya Best Actress Awards for roles in Hingana Kolla (1980), Aradhana (1982), and Yasa Isuru (1983), and went on to act in nearly 150 films, including the Indo-Lankan production Pilot Premnath (1978) alongside Indian Tamil cinema legend Sivaji Ganesan.
She also earned international acclaim, receiving a Special Jury Award at the Moscow International Film Festival in 1975 and recognition at the New Delhi Film Festival in 1977—becoming the first Sri Lankan actress to receive such global honours. In 2010, CNN named her one of Asia’s 25 Greatest Film Actors of All Time.
A towering figure in the arts, Malini Fonseka leaves behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations of Sri Lankan artists and film lovers alike.
