Lilian Edirisinghe

Lilian Edirisinghe (born 19 May 1922 – died 26 December 1993 as ලිලියන් එදිරිසිංහ) [Sinhala]), was an award-winning actress in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television.[1] One of the earliest pillars in Sri Lankan film history, Edirisinghe had a career that spanned more than four decades primarily in villain and comedy roles.[2]

Lilian Edirisinghe ලිලියන් එදිරිසිංහ
Born	Lilian Edirisinghe 19 May 1922 Imbulgoda, Sri Lanka
Died	26 December 1993 (aged 71) Kelaniya
Nationality	Sri Lankan
Education	Perakumbadeniya Maha Vidyalaya
Occupation	Actress, Dramatist
Years active	1940–1991
Parents	Lewis Edirisinghe (father) Kalu Kankanamge Podi Nona (mother)

Personal life

Edirisinghe was born on 19 May 1922 in Imbulgoda area as the seventh of a family with 11 siblings.[3] Her father Lewis Edirisinghe was a farmer and mother Kalu Kankanamge Podi Nona was a housewife. She attended to Parakandeniya Vidyalaya, Kossinna currently known as Perakumbadeniya Maha Vidyalaya. She started to act in school dramas and is a die hard fan of Laxmi Bhai. She married in 1942 and the couple gave birth to a son - Ranjith, who died after two months of age. Her husband also died soon after.[3]

Acting career

Edirisinghe moved to Colombo with her family, where she started to practice dancing under renowned dance master Mohammad Gauss Master. In 1940, Under Gauss Master, she also studied drama and was able to act in the stage drama Bihisunu Lanka. Then she acted in the drama Raaja Poronduwa where she continued to act more than 300 times.[3]

Filmography

Edirisinghe started her film career with B.A.W. Jayamanne's 1954 film Iranganie. In the film she acted as a teacher.[3] Then she continued to act in more than 150 films across many genre.[4][5] Some of her popular acting came through films such as Ara Soyza, Sihina Sathak, Kolamkarayo and Chandi Shyama.[3]

• No. denotes the Number of Sri Lankan film in the Sri Lankan cinema.[6]

Year	No.	Film	Role	Ref.
1954		Iranganie	Iskola Hamine
1955		Suragani
1955		Seda Sulan
1956		Surathali
1958		Ekamath Eka Rataka
1958		Deyyange Rate	Babamma
1958		Suneetha
1959		Sihinaya	Chandra's mother
1960		Subhadra
1960		Sundara Birinda
1961		Kurulu Bedda		[7]
1961		Gan Thera
1961		Suwineetha Laalani
1962		Suhada Diwi Piduma
1963		Sunilaa
1963		Suhada Sohoyuro
1963		Mangalika
1963		Sudu Sande Kalu Walaa	Manike's mother
1963		Deepashika	Sumana
1964		Kala Kala De Pala Pala De
1964		Sulalitha Sobani	Podi Hami
1964		Sasaraka Hati	Luncy Nona
1964		Sithaka Mahima
1964		Sobana Sitha
1965		Sathutai Kandulai
1965		Allapu Gedara	Baby
1965		Satha Panaha	Mahathaya's date	[8]
1965		Sekaya	Maduri's mother
1965		Landaka Mahima
1966		Sangawena Sewanalla
1966		Senasuma Kothanada
1966		Mahadenamuththa	Water Giver's mother
1966		Athulweema Thahanam
1966		Sihina Hathak	Baby Nona	[9]
1966		Kinkini Paada
1966		Kapatikama	Engelsina, Sarpin's wife
1966		Sampatha
1966		Sudu Duwa
1966		Sanda Naga Eddi
1966		Layata Laya
1966		Seyawak Pasupasa
1967		Daru Duka	Omeri Hami
1967		Segawunu Menika
1967		Pipena Kumudu
1967		Sarana
1967		Ipadune Ai
1968		Landon Hamu
1968		Adudass Kale
1968		Akka Nago
1968		Bicycle Hora
1968		Amathikama
1968		Hangi Hora
1968		Ruhunu Kumari
1968		Dehadaka Duka	Heen Hamu's accomplice
1968		Ataweni Pudumaya
1969		Kawuda Hari	Ransina
1969		Prawesamwanna	Mrs. Basnayake
1969		Oba Nathinam
1969		Kohomada Wade
1969		Hathara Peraliya
1969		Sumudu Bharya
1970		Penawa Neda
1970		Suli Sulan
1972		Singapuru Charlie
1972		Lokuma Hinawa	Engelsina
1972		Ada Mehemai	Elder sister
1973		Thushara	Villager	[10]
1973		Sinawai Inawai
1974		Surekha
1974		Hadawath Naththo
1974		Onna Babo Billo Enawa
1974		Susee		[11]
1974		Lasandaa	Kadiramma
1974		Sahayata Danny	Landlady
1974		Rodee Gama	Podina
1975		Kaliyuga Kaale
1975		Aawa Soya Adare	Sumana's mother	[12]
1975		Mage Nangi Shyama
1975		Kokilayo
1975		Sadhana
1976		Waasana	Nona
1976		Loka Horu
1976		Haaratha Hathara
1976		Aasha
1976		Dewiyange Theenduwa	Hamine
1976		Ran Thilaka
1977		Sudu Paraviyo	Ango
1977		Hariyanakota Ohoma Thamai
1977		Honda Hitha
1977		Vanagatha Kella
1978		Mage Ran Putha
1978		Kundala Keshi	Saroja
1978		Chandi Shyama
1978		Sally
1978		Deepanjalee
1979		Jeewana Kandulu
1979		Hingana Kolla	Mary	[13]
1979		Raja Kollo	Ra Nanda
1979		Muwan Palessa	Gobira's wife
1979		Ran Kurullo	Soyza's mother
1979		Anusha	Fake Mommy
1979		Sawudan Jema
1979		Hari Pudumai
1980		Seetha
1981		Kolankarayo	Member Mahaththaya's wife
1981		Senasuma
1981		Geethika
1981		Jeewanthi
1982		Sandaa	Seneviratne's mother
1982		Chathu Madura	Sunil's mother
1982		Kadawunu Poronduwa	Debtor
1983		Chandi Siriya
1983		Menik Maliga
1983		Loku Thaththa
1984		Ara Soyza	Loku Hamine
1984		Kekille Rajjuruwo	Mahadana Mutha's wife
1985		Chalitha Rangali
1985		Adarayaka Mahima	Lilly
1985		Rosy
1985		Doo Daruwo
1986		Mal Warusa	Englathina
1988		Chandingeth Chandiya
1988		Newa Gilunath Ban Chun	Lillian
1989		Mamai Raja	Vegetable vendor
1989		Badulu Kochchiya
1990		Sambudu Mahima
1990		Pem Rajadahana
1990		Jaya Kothanada
1990		Chandi Raja
1991		Paaradise
1991		Asai Bayai
1991		Raja Kello
1991		Raja Sellan
1991		Cheriyo Doctor	Head nurse
1991		Alibaba Saha Horu Hathaliha
1991		Suwandena Suwandak
1992		Salli Thubunata Madi
1992		Sakkara Suththara
1992		Sinha Raja
1992		Okkoma Kanapita
1992		Rajek Wage Puthek
1993		Soorayan Athara Veeraya	Babbi aunty
1993		Juriya Mamai	Lillian
1994		Sujaatha	Madam
1994		Okkoma Hondatai
1994		Vijaya Geetha	Maggie
1995		Wasana Wewa
1995		Pudumai Eth Aththai
1995		Deviyani Sathya Surakinna	Batti
1995		Chandiyage Putha	Chutti's mother
1995		Cheriyo Captain	Mrs. Rambo
1996		Naralowa Holman	Massage parlor owner
1996		Hitha Honda Geheniyak
2008		Ai Oba Thaniwela

Awards and Accolades

• Won Deepashika Award in 1968 for playing the most number of films of the year.[3]

Sarasaviya Film Festival

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
1967	Daru Duka	Merit Award[3]	Won

References

1. "Lilian Edirisinghe - ලිලියන් එදිරිසිංහ ( 1922 - 1993 )". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
2. "Unforgettables". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
3. "Lilian Edirisinghe career". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
4. "Lillian Edirisinghe bio". Rate your music. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
5. "Lilian Edirisinghe filmography". IMDb. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
6. "Sri Lankan Cinema History". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
7. "All about urulu Bedda". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
8. "All about the film "Satha Panaha"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2020-01-04.
9. "All about Sihina Sathak". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
10. "All about the film "Thushara"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
11. "All about the film Susee". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
12. "All about Awa Soya Adare". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
13. "All about the film "Hingana Kolla"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.

External links