Sri Lanka, May 24 -- Sri Lankan cinema icon and veteran actress Malini Fonseka, widely celebrated as the "Queen of Sri Lankan Cinema," has passed away this morning (24) at the age of 76, while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.

Malini Fonseka's illustrious career spanned over seven decades, marking her as one of the most revered and influential figures in Sri Lankan arts and cinema.

She first rose to prominence after winning the Best Actress Award at the 1969 National State Drama Festival. Her cinematic acclaim grew rapidly with multiple Sarasaviya Best Actress Awards for her performances in Hingana Kolla (1980), Aradhana (1982), and Yasa Isuru (1983).

Fonseka made her film debut in 1968 with Punchi Baba, directed by...