was attended by a very large gathering; film makers and dramatists, friends, politicians, relatives and her beloved fans. She was the most celebrated Sri Lankan artiste and a statue in memory of her was erected at the Kanuwana Junction. The road on which the Rukmani Devi Museum in Negombo is located was also renamed 'Rukmani Devi Mawatha' by President Ranasinghe Premadasa, on 28 October 1990. Awards Best background Singer for the song 'Doi doiya putha' in the film 'Ahasin Polawata' at the inaugural Presidential Awards Ceremony in 1976. Best actress Award for 'Kele Handa' at the 'Deepasika' awards ceremony conducted by 'Lankadipa' Newspaper in 1956. Voted Best Actress with a majority of 16,221 votes at the 'Reader's Contest' conducted by 'Dinamina' Newspaper in 1955. In popular culture She was the one and only Sri Lankan actress on the cover page of popular Indian Film Magazine "Filmfare" and was also featured in "My like and dislike" in 1958 in the Filmfare. The second generation Toyota HiAce is known in Sri Lanka as the 'Rukmani Model', because she was travelling in one when she had her fatal accident. Attack on Grave Site On 12 August 2011, a former mayor of Negombo and a former Minister of the Parliament Mr. Ananda Munasinghe was allegedly charged and arrested by the Negombo Police for dislodging the statue of Rukmani Devi, erected on her grave by one of her fans Mrs. Sriyani Achala Dissanayake. Several popular media bloated this incident as an attack by an unidentified group of criminals to Rukmani Devi's grave, and a protest rally to this incident was organised in Negombo on 14 August 2011. Songs Ada Handanawa Himiyani Yasodara Adara Nadiya Gala Adara Pana Suda Adaraya Nisa Harde Bandena Adarayai Karunawayi Alokaya Hama Thana Pathire Anna Sudo Ara Pata Wala - (with Mohideen Beg) Ara Ramani Pem Handa Akase - (with Dharmadasa Walpola) Ase Geethe Madura Jeewe - (with Dharmadasa Walpola) Asure Nisa Me Chandra Mage Ko Ane Dadi Kala Matha Dalwaw Bathi Adara Pem Danno Budunge Deerghayu Siri Labewa - (With H. W. Rupasinghe & Kokila Devi) Denna Priye Dathata Oya Datha Deviyan Ko Saman Deviyan Dewa Gini Mawa Dharmaraja Maraji - (With H. W. Rupasinghe) Doi Doiya Putha Dushmantha Aho Kimado Gala Kandeni Giye Aida Mawa Thanikara Hada Gilei Ama Mihire - (with Mohideen Baig) Herdhey Pina-aei Jaya Mangala Gatha Jeewithe Ma Kiyanna Rankanda Koheda Yanne Ran Menike Oya Lakmenige