Sat May 24 12:49:24 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

Renowned Sri Lankan actress and former Member of Parliament Malini Fonseka, known for her role in the Indo-Sri Lankan film “Pilot Premnath” alongside Sivaji Ganesan, passed away in Colombo at the age of 78. Fonseka, a celebrated figure in Sinhala cinema since the 1960s, also served in Parliament from 2010-2015. She was an advocate for collaboration between the Sri Lankan and Indian film industries and played a role in post-civil war reconciliation efforts.

**News Article:**

**Iconic Sri Lankan Actress Malini Fonseka Passes Away at 78**

**Colombo, Sri Lanka – May 24, 2025** – Malini Fonseka, a celebrated Sri Lankan actress and former Member of Parliament, has died in Colombo at the age of 78. Fonseka, a prominent figure in Sinhala cinema for over six decades, began her acting career in the early 1960s and quickly rose to prominence, earning numerous awards and becoming a household name.

Indian audiences will remember Fonseka for her role in the 1978 Indo-Sri Lankan film “Pilot Premnath,” where she starred alongside the legendary Sivaji Ganesan. The film, directed by A.C. Trilokachander, was a significant success in both countries.

Beyond her contributions to cinema, Fonseka also served as a Member of Parliament from 2010 to 2015, representing President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s alliance. She remained a steadfast supporter of Rajapaksa throughout her political career.

Fonseka was a strong advocate for collaboration between the Sri Lankan and Indian film industries. In the aftermath of the Sri Lankan civil war, she extended an invitation to Tamil Nadu artists to visit the country and assess the post-war landscape, aiming to foster better understanding and relations. “The Sri Lankan film industry has borrowed many ideas, techniques and technicians from Tamil Nadu. The two film industries have had a very friendly and positive relationship from the 1950s onwards. We want that to continue,” Fonseka told *The Hindu* in 2013.

In 2019, Fonseka inaugurated the Women’s International Film Fest in Kochi, India, further emphasizing the need for greater cooperation among technicians from both nations.

Authorities have announced that Malini Fonseka’s final rites will be held with state honors on Monday.

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