Gamamathige Vijitha de Silva (born 5 July 1943 – died 16 October 1992 as විජිත මල්ලිකා) [Sinhala]), popularly known as Vijitha Mallika, was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema. One of the most popular film actresses in early Sinhala cinema, Mallika appeared in more than 40 films including popular films, Suvineetha Lalani, Sengawunu Menika, Dheewarayo, London Hamu and Sweep Ticket.
Personal life Mallika was born on 5 July 1943 in Negombo as the eldest of the family. Her father Gamamathige Silva was a businessman came to Negambo from Induruwa and started a business. Her mother was Mary Wickramasinghe. Mallika has three younger brothers and two younger sisters.
Mallika studied at Sinhala New School, Wella Street, Negombo and then from Newstead Girls College, Negambo. Mallika was married to fellow actor Anton Fernando. She met Fernando during the casting of Veera Vijaya. At that time, Anton was the harmonium player of a band in Negombo. Anton and Vijitha's love affair had obstacles from both sides, due to religious conflicts. Mallika was Buddhist and Anton was Catholic. Later, Mallika converted to Catholicism and married Anton. For this, a religious father by the name of Pagna and a religious mother by the name of Mannah had to be named. However, after many conflicts, they divorced in 1970.
A few years later, she married Gamini Munasinghe, a businessman in Negombo. After marrying Munasinghe, Vijitha returned to Buddhism. Gamini's brother, Ananda Munasinghe was married to the eldest daughter of actor and director B. A. W. Jayamanne.
Mallika has two daughters from her first marriage with Anton. Mallika has one son and one daughter from her second marriage with Gamini.
Mallika died from cancer on 16 October 1992 at the age of 49.
Career At very young age, Mallika showcased the signs to be a future actress. Mallika's uncle, Benjamin Fernando often known as Benjamin Master was a friend of playwright and dialogue writer Hugo Fernando. When Hugo saw her at the house, she expressed her intentions to be an actress. With that guidance from Hugo Master, Mallika made her cinema debut as a minor role in 1957 film Suraya directed by T.R. Sundaram. She was then offered many comic roles in popular films, Sohoyuro (1958), Purusha Rathnaya (1959). Then, in 1960, she acted as the girl friend opposite to Cristy Leonard in the film Veera Vijaya.
Hugo Master, who wrote the dialogue for the film Adata Wada Heta Hondai which was started in 1962 by newly established Hendala Wijaya studio gave a major role to Mallika along with two popular actresses of her generation, Jeevarani Kurukulasuriya and Sandhya Kumari. Mallika was Ananda Jayaratne's girlfriend in the film. Then he acted in the film Samanalayo starring with Tony Ranasinghe. Although the footage was filmed, it was stuck in production stage. In 1963, Mallika appeared in the blockbuster film Dheewarayo along with Sandhya Kumari and Gamini Fonseka. According to critics, Mallika lost the main role after losing the toss to decide the role with Sandhya. Sandhya made a major role and Mallika made a supportive role. However, her destiny was changed after the film, where Mallika was fortunate enough to get major roles in films in following years.
Mallika acted major roles in films Hithata Hitha, Sweep Ticket and Handa Paana. Mallika's lover in the movie Sweep Ticket was Sudesh Gunaratne. In the film Handa Paana, she acted as a village girl Kusuma opposite to Herbert M. Seneviratne. Among the films Mallika acted in, 1963 film Suhada Sohoyuro gained more attraction. In 1966, Mallika won the Sarasaviya Award for Most Popular Actress for the film Handa Paana. In 1970, Mallika produced the film Suli Sulang which was directed by her husband Anton Fernando before the divorce. Her last appearance in cinema came through 1980 film Hondin Inna directed by Bandu Gunasekara.
A felicitation ceremony titled Dawasak Evi for Vijitha Mallika was held on 18 March 2017 at Maradana Tower Hall.
Filmography Year Film Role Ref. 1957 Suraya 1958 Sohoyuro 1959 Purusha Rathnaya Mallika 1960 Nalangana 1960 Veera Vijaya 1961 Suvineetha Lalani 1963 Adata Vediya Heta Hondai Vijitha 1963 Suhada Sohoyuro 1963 Mangalika 1964 Kala Kala De Pala Pala De 1964 Semiya Birindage Deviyaya 1964 Sujage Rahasa 1964 Dheewarayo 1965 Handa Paana 1965 Laa Dalu 1965 Hathara Maha Nidhanaya Seetha Dharmawardena 1965 Hithata Hitha 1965 Sweep Ticket 1965 Landaka Mahima 1966 Segawena Sewanella 1966 Sanda Naga Eddi 1966 Layata Laya 1966 Kapatikama Veeta 1966 Sudu Duwa 1966 Senasili Suwaya Mali 1967 Ran Rasa Mallika 'Missy' 1967 Okkoma Hari 1967 Hathara Kendare 1967 Segawunu Menika 1967 Amathaka Wunada 1967 Sarana 1967 Rena Giraw Sumana 1968 London Hamu 1968 Dehadaka Duka Kamala 1968 Singithi Surathal 1968 Abuddassa Kale 1969 Oba Nathinam 1969 Hari Maga Cilla 1969 Pancha 1970 Seda Sulang 1976 Haratha Hathara 1976 Asha 1980 Hondin Inna
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