Lilian Edirisinghe


Lilian Edirisinghe, was an award-winning actress in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. 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.

Personal life

Edirisinghe was born on 19 May 1922 in Imbulgoda area as the seventh of a family with 11 siblings. 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.

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.

Filmography

Edirisinghe started her film career with B.A.W. Jayamanne's 1954 film Iranganie. In the film she acted as a teacher. Then she continued to act in more than 150 films across many genre. Some of her popular acting came through films such as Ara Soyza, Sihina Sathak, Kolamkarayo and Chandi Shyama.
YearNo.FilmRoleRef.
1954IranganieIskola Hamine
1955Suragani
1955Seda Sulan
1956Surathali
1958Ekamath Eka Rataka
1958Deyyange RateBabamma
1958Suneetha
1959SihinayaChandra's mother
1960Subhadra
1960Sundara Birinda
1961Kurulu Bedda
1961Gan Thera
1961Suwineetha Laalani
1962Suhada Diwi Piduma
1963Sunilaa
1963Suhada Sohoyuro
1963Mangalika
1963Sudu Sande Kalu WalaaManike's mother
1963DeepashikaSumana
1964Kala Kala De Pala Pala De
1964Sulalitha SobaniPodi Hami
1964Sasaraka HatiLuncy Nona
1964Sithaka Mahima
1964Sobana Sitha
1965Sathutai Kandulai
1965Allapu GedaraBaby
1965Satha PanahaMahathaya's date
1965SekayaMaduri's mother
1965Landaka Mahima
1966Sangawena Sewanalla
1966Senasuma Kothanada
1966MahadenamuththaWater Giver's mother
1966Athulweema Thahanam
1966Sihina HathakBaby Nona
1966Kinkini Paada
1966KapatikamaEngelsina, Sarpin's wife
1966Sampatha
1966Sudu Duwa
1966Sanda Naga Eddi
1966Layata Laya
1966Seyawak Pasupasa
1967Daru DukaOmeri Hami
1967Segawunu Menika
1967Pipena Kumudu
1967Sarana
1967Ipadune Ai
1968Landon Hamu
1968Adudass Kale
1968Akka Nago
1968Bicycle Hora
1968Amathikama
1968Hangi Hora
1968Ruhunu Kumari
1968Dehadaka DukaHeen Hamu's accomplice
1968Ataweni Pudumaya
1969Kawuda HariRansina
1969PrawesamwannaMrs. Basnayake
1969Oba Nathinam
1969Kohomada Wade
1969Hathara Peraliya
1969Sumudu Bharya
1970Penawa Neda
1970Suli Sulan
1972Singapuru Charlie
1972Lokuma HinawaEngelsina
1972Ada MehemaiElder sister
1973ThusharaVillager
1973Sinawai Inawai
1974Surekha
1974Hadawath Naththo
1974Onna Babo Billo Enawa
1974Susee
1974LasandaaKadiramma
1974Sahayata DannyLandlady
1974Rodee GamaPodina
1975Kaliyuga Kaale
1975Aawa Soya AdareSumana's mother
1975Mage Nangi Shyama
1975Kokilayo
1975Sadhana
1976WaasanaNona
1976Loka Horu
1976Haaratha Hathara
1976Aasha
1976Dewiyange TheenduwaHamine
1976Ran Thilaka
1977Sudu ParaviyoAngo
1977Hariyanakota Ohoma Thamai
1977Honda Hitha
1977Vanagatha Kella
1978Mage Ran Putha
1978Kundala KeshiSaroja
1978Chandi Shyama
1978Sally
1978Deepanjalee
1979Jeewana Kandulu
1979Hingana KollaMary
1979Raja KolloRa Nanda
1979Muwan PalessaGobira's wife
1979Ran KurulloSoyza's mother
1979AnushaFake Mommy
1979Sawudan Jema
1979Hari Pudumai
1980Seetha
1981KolankarayoMember Mahaththaya's wife
1981Senasuma
1981Geethika
1981Jeewanthi
1982SandaaSeneviratne's mother
1982Chathu MaduraSunil's mother
1982Kadawunu PoronduwaDebtor
1983Chandi Siriya
1983Menik Maliga
1983Loku Thaththa
1984Ara SoyzaLoku Hamine
1984Kekille RajjuruwoMahadana Mutha's wife
1985Chalitha Rangali
1985Adarayaka MahimaLilly
1985Rosy
1985Doo Daruwo
1986Mal WarusaEnglathina
1988Chandingeth Chandiya
1988Newa Gilunath Ban ChunLillian
1989Mamai RajaVegetable vendor
1989Badulu Kochchiya
1990Sambudu Mahima
1990Pem Rajadahana
1990Jaya Kothanada
1990Chandi Raja
1991Paaradise
1991Asai Bayai
1991Raja Kello
1991Raja Sellan
1991Cheriyo DoctorHead nurse
1991Alibaba Saha Horu Hathaliha
1991Suwandena Suwandak
1992Salli Thubunata Madi
1992Sakkara Suththara
1992Sinha Raja
1992Okkoma Kanapita
1992Rajek Wage Puthek
1993Soorayan Athara VeerayaBabbi aunty
1993Juriya MamaiLillian
1994SujaathaMadam
1994Okkoma Hondatai
1994Vijaya GeethaMaggie
1995Wasana Wewa
1995Pudumai Eth Aththai
1995Deviyani Sathya SurakinnaBatti
1995Chandiyage PuthaChutti's mother
1995Cheriyo CaptainMrs. Rambo
1996Naralowa HolmanMassage parlor owner
1996Hitha Honda Geheniyak
2008Ai Oba Thaniwela

Awards and Accolades