Her remains have been placed at the Tharangani Hall of the National Film Corporation, allowing the public to bid farewell to the beloved screen icon.

Malini Fonseka passed away in the early hours of May 24 at the age of 78 while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Colombo. 

Her body was initially kept at her Madiwela residence before being moved to the National Film Corporation, where crowds continue to gather in tribute.

Among the dignitaries paying their respects were former Presidents Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and Chandrika Kumaratunga.

The final rites of the legendary actress will be held today (26) with full state honors at Independence Square.

The cultural luminary, who passed away on May 24 at 78, will be honoured with full ceremonial rites attended by artists, dignitaries, and adoring fans.  

Final journey of a cinematic legend

The late actress’s remains, lying in state at the National Film Corporation’s Tharangani Hall, will be taken to **Independence Square at 8:00 AM. 

The public can pay their last respects from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  

At 3:30 PM, her body will be moved to a special platform for Buddhist rites, organized by fellow artists and former students of Gurukula College, Kelaniya, her alma mater. The final cremation rites will commence at 5:45 PM.  

Traffic advisory

Police have announced brief traffic restrictions around Independence Square. While no major road closures are planned, vehicles entering Nidahas Mawatha from the Independence Roundabout will face 15-minute delays as the procession passes.  

A legacy that transcended borders  

Malini Fonseka’s illustrious career spanned nearly 150 films, earning her multiple Sarasaviya Awards for classics like Hingana Kolla (1980), Aradhana (1982), and Yasa Isuru (1983). She broke barriers as the first Sri Lankan actress to win international acclaim, securing awards at the Moscow (1975) and New Delhi (1977) film festivals.  

Her collaboration with Indian cinema legend Sivaji Ganesan in Pilot Premnath(1978) and her recognition as one of Asia’s 25 Greatest Film Actors of All Time (CNN, 2010) cemented her as a cultural icon.  

As Sri Lanka bids farewell, her legacy endures—not just in film, but as a trailblazer who elevated **Sri Lankan cinema onto the world stage.

Funeral schedule:  

Public viewing: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM  
Religious rites: 3:30 PM  
Cremation: 5:45 PM  

She wasn’t just an actress—she was the soul of our cinema.— Tribute from a fellow artist.

Fairly heavy rains above 75 mm are likely at some places.

A few showers may occur elsewhere.

Strong winds of about 40-50 kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central, Southern and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Monaragala districts.

A circular issued by the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya was shared with Senior DIGs, DIGs, commanding officers, directors, OICs, and headquarters inspectors across the country. The directive outlined the importance of supporting Anudi through social media engagement.

The document emphasised that online popularity plays a role in the selection process. It included instructions for downloading the Miss World mobile app, voting for the candidate, and increasing her online presence by liking, commenting, and following her pages.

Police Media Spokesman SSP Buddika Manathunga defended the initiative, describing it as a matter of national pride. “Her representation brings honour to the country,” he said, noting that public funds were not used and drawing parallels with past promotional efforts for Sri Lanka Cricket.

Anudi among 20 finalists

Anudi Gunasekara, Sri Lanka’s representative at the 72nd Miss World pageant, has advanced to the 20 finalists of the Head to Head Challenge. She has also secured a place among the Top 5 finalists from Asia.

The final competition of the Miss World Festival will be held next Saturday, on May 31 at the HITEX Convention Center in Hyderabad, Telangana.

The public have been invited to vote for contestants via the “Miss World” app which can be downloaded via Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

(sundaytimes.lk)

(This story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

Investigators from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) had found the cash packed in packets and

ready for distribution when they raided the premises armed with a search warrant.

Further investigations have found that the cash amounted to bribes collected from people who had visited the different divisions of the DMT from Monday to Friday of that week, sources added.

Bribery Commission officials who visited the DMT with the search warrant had come upon the cash stacked in a cupboard in the office room of one of the deputy commissioners.

The key to the cupboard, however, had been in the hands of an office assistant, who was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation of why he had the key to a cupboard with so much money in his possession.

CIABOC officials had arrested the deputy commissioner, a management assistant and the office assistant once they uncovered that the cash had been collected to be distributed among DMT employees on Friday.

The three suspects, identified as Deputy Commissioner Dilantha Nuwan Kumara, Pradeep Nishantha and D. Samantha Perera, were produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayatunga and remanded till June 6.

(sundaytimes.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

Born on April 30, 1947, in Kelaniya as Wanni Arachchige Malani Senehelatha Fonseka, she later rose to fame in Sri Lankan cinema under the name Malani Fonseka.

Fonseka began her acting career on stage in 1963 and made her cinematic debut in 1968 with the film Punchi Baba.

She won the Most Popular Actress award in 1973 and has received numerous accolades, including the President’s Award, Sarasavi Award, OCIC Award, and Sumathi Award, with several honors for Best Actress.

Plays such as Nidhanaya, Bambaru Awitha, Wekande Walawwa, Aradhana, and Ammawarune are regarded as outstanding works that showcased the acting talents of Malani Fonseka.

Beyond her artistic achievements, she entered politics in 2010 and served as a National List Member of Parliament until 2015.

Due to this, the public is urged to make prior arrangements and store an adequate supply of water to avoid inconvenience during the period of the suspension.

Accordingly, the water cut will affect the following areas:

• Colombo 01 to Colombo 15
• Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
• Kaduwela
• Battaramulla
• Kolonnawa
• Kotikawatta
• Mulleriyawa
• IDH (Infectious Diseases Hospital) area
• Maharagama
• Dehiwala
• Mount Lavinia
• Ratmalana and Moratuwa

Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that Interpol has already issued red notices for their arrest and that the countries where these criminals are hiding have been identified.

He added that investigations into the group have been expanded in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Since the new government came to power, 11 members of organized crime gangs hiding abroad have been brought back to the island and produced before courts.

Meanwhile, operations to arrest members of organized crime gangs involved in various criminal activities, including murder and drug trafficking, within the country are also ongoing.

The Minister added that the Police Special Task Force and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are jointly conducting investigations into the allegations against them.

The firearm, found earlier this week, led to the arrest of 03 suspects, based on information revealed during interrogations conducted in connection with the incident.

According to Party leader – Prabha Ganesan, the decision was made by the party’s executive council, which met yesterday (May 22).

He further stated that both the Opposition Leader and the President had extended invitations to his party.

However, he stated that his party aims to serve the people of the CMC and has therefore decided to support the current government in carrying out those efforts.