# Lilian Edirisinghe

Lilian Edirisinghe (born 19 May 1922 – died 26 December 1993 as ලිලියන් එදිරිසිංහ) [Sinhala]), was an 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.
* No. denotes the Number of Sri Lankan film in the Sri Lankan cinema.
| Year | Film | Role |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 1973 | Sinawai Inawai | |
| 1974 | Surekha | |
| 1974 | Hadawath Naththo | |
| 1974 | Onna Babo Billo Enawa | |
| 1974 | Susee | |
| 1974 | Lasandaa | Kadiramma |
| 1974 | Sahayata Danny | Landlady |
| 1974 | Rodee Gama | Podina |
| 1975 | Kaliyuga Kaale | |
| 1975 | Aawa Soya Adare | Sumana's mother |
| 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 |
| 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.

### Sarasaviya Film Festival

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 1967 | Daru Duka | Merit Award | Won |