Nation bids final farewell to Malini Fonseka

The country bid its final farewell to the queen of the Sinhala silver screen Malini Fonseka this evening amidst a large gathering at Independence Square in Colombo.

Hundreds of her fans joined family members, diplomats, members of the film fraternity to bid farewell to Malini who passed away on Saturday.

The funeral was conducted with full state honours.

Venerable Assaji Nayaka Thero of Gangaramaya Temple, Venerable Kaburugamuwe Wajira Nayaka Thero, Uduwe Dammaloka Thero and a number of members of the Buddhist clergy as well as leaders of other religions performed the religious rites at the funeral.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Minister of Buddhasasana,Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senavi and the Opposition Leader, Sajith Premadsa were among those who participated in paying their final respects to the veteran artist.

Anoja Weerasinghe and Ravindra Randeniya, her co-actors paid tribute to her at the funeral.

Mr. Randeniya said that the late actress was the 'Queen of our cinema, and deserved higher accolades for her contribution to Lankan cinema.

“ If she was in India, she would have  certainly been the  recipient  of the Bharat Ratna,’ he said.

 President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s speech, was delivered by Prime Minister Amarasuriya.

 “The vaccum left behind by her can never be filled by anyone else. We promise to fulfill her dreams and work towards enhancing the film industry she was deeply connected with. She was born on a special day the same year, 1947, when Sri Lanka’s first film was screened. Her talents never faded over the decades. May she attain the highest place according to her religious beliefs,” the President said in his message.

Samanali Fonseka, spoke on behalf of the family and expressed her gratitude in her speech.

She thanked all the doctors who supported her and helped her live until her end and  the Cinesta Foundation, the Chairman of the Nawaloka Group, the President, Prime Minister, Minister Sunil Senavi, and all the officials of the Sri Lankan Government.

She also acknowledged everyone who contributed to making this sorrowful moment a dignified and meaningful one.

She  extended her sincere thanks to all the fans,both those who were present and those who were not for there, for their heartfelt support.