Sathischandra Edirisinghe

Sathischandra Edirisinghe was born on 11 February 1941 in Kelaniya as the sixth child of the family. His father is late Patikirige Edirisinghe was a Chief Supervisor of the Department of Cottage Industries. Mother is late Ushettige Elizabeth Perera was a housewife. He has one elder brother, late Dharmasiri, four elder sisters - Techla Sandaseelee, late Florida Katherine, Mershia Sirima and Mary Elizabeth and two younger brothers - Nimal Ranjith and Sunil. Youngest of the family, Sunil is a singer in Sri Lankan music industry.{{cite web | url=http://www.sathischandraedirisinghe.com/biography.html| title=Sathischandra Edirisinghe biography | publisher=sathischandraedirisinghe | access-date=8 May 2010}}

Sathischandra Edirisinghe completed his education from five schools. He started preschool career with Sir D. B. Jayatilaka Vidyalaya, then entered to Sri Dharmaloka College, Kelaniya in 1947. After ten years in the school, Edirisinghe then moved to St. Mary's College, Elpitiya in 1958 to completed A/L from art stream.{{Cite web |title=Sathischandra Edirisinghe is the hero of 90 seconds |url=http://www.silumina.lk/2021/02/06/තරංග/තප්පර-අනූවේ-වීරයා-සති%C2%ADස්චන්ද්%E2%80%8Dර-එදි%C2%ADරි%C2%ADසිංහ |access-date=2021-06-05 |website=Silumina}} In 1960, he entered Stafford College and in 1964, he completed his secondary education from Vidyodaya Pirivena, Maligakanda.

In 1965, he married Kariyapperuma Arachchige Sriya Kariyapperuma. Sriya was born on November 7, 1941, to Baron Perera Kariyapperuma who worked as a clerk and Sumanawathie Cooray. She was the eldest of the ten siblings in her family. She had her education at Sri Dharmaloka College, Kelaniya, where she met Sathischandra Edirisinghe. She also had a keen interest on drama, where she acted in many school stage dramas, directed by Sathischandra. The couple has three children - Udaya, Shashini and Udara.

Elderst son, Udaya Shashipriya studied at S. Thomas' College, Gurutalawa. He currently handles his own business called "U and I Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd.". Second one is the daughter, Shashini who studied at St. Paul's Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Kelaniya. She is a B.Com graduate and currently resides in Australia. Youngest one is Udara Asanga, studied at Royal College, Colombo. He is interested in textile and fashion designing in Australia, All are married.

Edirisinghe started to show his talents when he is at Sri Dharmaloka Central College. His first teacher was Ravilal Wimaladharma, who had keen interest on literature and music. At grade 5, he tried to act Madduma Bandara at home, which is a drama in his literature book. After Wimaladharma saw his capabilities, Edirisinghe was appointed as in-charge of the stage play Sudo Sudu in the school. In 1953, he joined Lamapitiya program in Radio Ceylon.{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/090111/Magazine/sundaytvtimes_05.html | title=Sathis celebrates golden jubilee| publisher=Sunday Times| access-date=8 May 2010}} For role in Anton Chekhov’s Proposal at Inter-school drama competition, Edirisinghe adjudged the Best Actor of the Southern Province.

In 1961, he started his stage drama career where his elder brother, Dharmasiri Edirisinghe introduced him to Kala Guru J. D. A. Perera. In 1999, after the service in CTB and Mahaweli Authority, he became a full time artist. His peak as a theater actor came through his role in John de Silva's stage play Wessanthara. With wider recognition, he was able to cooperate with country's leading script writers such as Gunasena Galappathi, Dayananda Gunawardane, Henry Jayasena, Sugathapala de Silva, R.R. Samarakoon, Sunanda Mahendra, Ranjit Dharmakeerthi, S. Karunaratne, Lucien Bulathsinghala and Dhamma Jagoda. His one of memorable theater acting came through Henry Jayasena's Manaranjana Vedavarjana in 1965.{{cite web | url=http://www.sathischandraedirisinghe.com/stagedrama.html | title=Sathischandra Edirisinghe stage plays | publisher=sathischandraedirisinghe | access-date=8 May 2010}}

• Baka Thapas
• Vessanthara
• Sri Wicrama
• Ibi Katta
• Manaranja Wedewarjana
• Liyathabara
• Maha Hene Hiriyaka
• Maha Gedere
• Cheri Uyana (Cherry Orchard)
• Onna Babo Ethiniya
• Habun Katai Bath Dekatai
• Elade
• Erabodu Mal Pottu Pipila
• Geheniyak
• Sauren Ae Lada
• Ane Massine
• Ruduraya Saha Gangawa
• Liya Thambara

Edirisinghe is considered one of the pioneer actors in Sri Lankan teledrama history. His maiden television acting came through Lucien Bulathsinhala's Ekamawakage Daruwo in 1982. In that drama, he played the main role as a school principal. He played in many popular films of the early stage of Sri Lankan television such as, Mihikathage Daruwo, Tharadevi and Palingu Menike.{{cite web | url=http://www.sathischandraedirisinghe.com/teledrama.html | title=Sathischandra Edirisinghe teledramas | publisher=sathischandraedirisinghe | access-date=8 May 2010}}

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• Ambu Daruwo{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/011202/tv.html | title='Ambu Daruwo':Sudath Rohana's new creation | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=16 August 2019}}
• Aravinda saha Indu
• Avindu Adura
• Chandi Kumarihami {{Cite web |title=Two creations by Charith Abeysinghe for small screen and silver screen ... |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/news/2021/04/08/20211/චරිත්-අබේසිංහගෙන්-පුංචි-තිරයට-හා-රිදී-තිරයට-නිර්මාණ-දෙකක් |access-date=2021-04-04 |website=Sarasaviya}}
• Eke Mawakege Daruwo
• Gauwen Gauwa
• Kadathira{{cite web | url=http://paradisaya.tripod.com/teledrama/kadathira.html | title=Kadathira | publisher=paradisaya | access-date=20 November 2019}}
• Kokila Ginna{{cite web | url=http://paradisaya.tripod.com/teledrama/kokilaginna.html | title=Kokila Ginna | publisher=Paradisaya | access-date=30 July 2019}}{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/981115/mirror5.html | title=Kokila Ginna: tragedy strikes singer | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=20 September 2019}}
• Mihikathege Daruwo
• Minigandela{{cite web | url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2017/07/05/features/120904/minigandela-shooting-begins?page=1 | title=Minigandela shooting begins | work=Daily News | access-date=30 July 2019}}
• Nisala Vilthera{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/080622/TV/tvtimes006.html | title='Nisala Wilthera': Sathischandra discusses samsara | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=20 September 2019}}
• Paligu Menike
• Sausiri Uyana{{cite web | url=http://www.island.lk/2002/09/22/leisur10.html | title=Sausiri Uyana-based on changing social ethos | publisher=The Island | access-date=25 April 2019}}
• Senehelatha Menike
• Sivmansala
• Sonduru SIthaththi
• Sudu Hamine{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/061119/TV/tv2.htmll | title=Sudu Hamine; A tale with a twist | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=15 August 2019}}
• Sudu Mahaththuru{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/990404/mirror5.html | title=Return of 'Sudu Mahaththuru' | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=15 August 2019}}
• Sudu Paraviyo
• Sujatha{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/061015/TV/tv17.html |title='Sujatha': Big screen hit ready to hit small screen |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=19 September 2019}}
• Sura-asura
• Suseema {{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/050424/tv/4.html |title='Susima' on DVD format |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=4 December 2019}}
• Thara Devi
• Uthuru Sulanga
• Uthuwankande Sura Saradiyel{{cite web | url=http://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2006/09/10/mag03.asp | title=Saradiel re-lived | publisher=Sunday Observer | access-date=30 July 2019}}
• Wassanaye Hiru Evidin {{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/031102/tv/1.htm | title=Of love, sacrifice and mystery | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=15 August 2019}}

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• Tikiri Nileme
• Namal Golla
• Bopath Sakkiya{{cite web | url=http://www.island.lk/2001/07/01/leisur04.html | title=Erosion of traditional values in a typical Sri Lankan milieu | publisher=The Island | access-date=8 May 2010}}
• Girikula Andereya
• Suwanda Padma {{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/040229/tv/6.html | title=Suwanda Padma focuses on our past | publisher=Sunday Times| access-date=17 July 2019}}
• Diyawadana Maluwa {{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/040725/tv/4.html | title='Diyawadana Maluwa' : A story about water heritage | publisher=Sunday Times| access-date=17 July 2019}}
• Monaravila {{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/060806/tv/tvp5.htm |title='Monaravila' portrays patriots |publisher=Sunday times |access-date=7 December 2017}}
• Sathmahala{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/000409/tv.html | title=Sathmahala: story of changing times | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=8 May 2010}}

In 1963, he started his first direction and production of stage dramas with the play Baka Thapas. Out of 20 stage plays he acted, six of them were his production and direction. In 1964, he produced second stage play, Atthikka Mal Pipila with his own script. He produced another four stage dramas – Hotabari Yuddae based on George Orwell's Animal Farm, Thahanchi, Sokkano Rajano and Apaya Avurudu.

With his success at both stage drama and cinema, Edirisinghe turned to film making in 1973. His first cinematic direction came through Matara Aachchi in 1973. The film made a landmark in Sinhala film history as he introduced his little brother Sunil Edirisinghe as a singer, Wally Nanayakkara as lyricist and Victor Ratnayake as a film music director. All of them became big names in the proceeding years in Sri Lankan artistic history.

Not only in cinema, he has produced eleven television serials of which he directed seven. In 2019, he was honored with Janabhimani Honorary Award at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall.{{Cite web |title=Presented Janabhimani to veteran legends |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/news/2019/02/07/2818/ජනාභිමාණි-පිරිනැමුණු-අයුරු?page=6 |access-date=2021-06-16 |website=Sarasaviya}}

In 1965, he was attached with Ceylon Transport of Bus (CTB) as a clerk. After the marriage and few years of work, he resigned from CTB and joined to Mahaweli Authority in 1986. In the authority, he served as the Manager in Cultural Affairs from 1986 to 1998.

In 2008, Edirisinghe was invited to take the position of Consultant in Cultural Affairs in the Ministry of Irrigation.

He is an author who published many books such as Apa Sathu Minimuthu, Kata Wata Kara Weta and Jalaya Saha Minisa.{{cite web | url=http://www.sathischandraedirisinghe.com/publications.html | title=Sathischandra Edirisinghe publications| publisher=sathischandraedirisinghe | access-date=8 May 2010}}{{cite web | url=https://www.sarasavi.lk/Author/SATHISCHANDRA%20EDIRISINGHE/1 | title=Sathischandra Edirisinghe publications| publisher=Sarasavi| access-date=8 May 2010}} He has written nearly 25 books, where Eight books for children.

Edirisinghe went with a script writer to Kuwait in 1990 for a stage drama. During that period, Sadaam Hussein captured Iran and the crew were stuck there for 47 days in the Middle East. After 47 days, they came back to Sri Lanka. A felicitation ceremony titled Sathischandra Edirisinghe in Retrospect was held on 16 January 2011 at 6 pm at Kularatne hall in Ananda College Maradana organised by Telemakers Guild.{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/110116/Magazine/sundaytimestvtimes_4.html |title=Salutation for Sathis |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=29 December 2019}}

During a family trip to Ella, Badulla in January 2019, gold jewellery and cash worth nearly Rs.189,000 had been stolen from the family. Police said that the thief might have entered the room through a window as one of the windows was opened.{{cite web | url=http://mirrorcitizen.dailymirror.lk/2019/01/21/sathischandra-edirisinghe-family-robbed-in-ella/ | title=Sathischandra Edirisinghe, family robbed in Ella| publisher=Daily Mirror| access-date=8 May 2010}}

• Apa Sathu Minimuthu
• Kata Wata Kara Weta
• Jalaya Saha Minisa
• Adaraya Saha Vivahaya
• Ape Thaththa
• Guru Bhumika Nirupanaya
• Raththaran Daruwek
• Thanhawa Dukata Hethu We
• Wanduru Nuwana

On January 14, 2008, felicitation program titled Sathischandra Prathibhanaya was held at 3 pm at Sarasavi Studio, Dalugama, Kelaniya. The program was organized by Nuwana Youth Organisation.

For the enormous contribution rendered to the Sri Lankan drama career, he is honored with Kala Suri in 1990 by late President Ranasinghe Premadasa. and conferred with an honorary degree from the University of Kelaniya in 2006.

{{Awards table}}

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|| 1985 ||| Hima Kathara || Best Supporting Actor || {{won}}

{{End}}

{{Awards table}}

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|| 2003 ||| Contribution to drama{{cite web|title=About Sumathi Awards|url=http://sumathiawards.lk/about-sumathi-awards.php|website=www.sumathiawards.lk}} || U.W. Sumathipala Award || {{won}}

{{End}}

{{Awards table}}

|-

|| 2010 ||| Contribution to drama{{cite web|title=Raigam Tele'es 2009 award winners|url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2010/05/13/_art.asp?fn=sa10051314&pn=16|publisher=Sarasaviya}} || Prathibha Prabha Award || {{won}}

{{End}}

Edirisinghe started his film career with Sadol Kandulu back in 1966, directed by Senator Reggie Perera. Through that, he performed many dramatic and supportive roles in more than 35+ films.{{cite web | url=http://www.sathischandraedirisinghe.com/films.html | title=Sathischandra Edirisinghe filmography| publisher=sathischandraedirisinghe | access-date=8 May 2010}}{{cite web | url=http://www.films.lk/sinhala-cinema-artist-sathischandra-edirisinghe-316.html | title=Sathischandra Edirisinghe - සතිස්චන්ද්‍ර එදිරිසිංහ| publisher=Sinhala Cinema Database| access-date=8 May 2010}} In 1982, he was lucky to be participate for International Mannheim Film Festival held in Germany. During that film festival, he received a merit certificate for the film Adhishtanaya. Then he took that film again to the Ludwigshafen Film Congress

• No. denotes the Number of Sri Lankan film in the Sri Lankan cinema.{{cite web | url=http://www.nfc.gov.lk/films-history.php | title=Sri Lankan Cinema History | publisher=National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka | access-date=9 August 2016}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.youtube.com/Sathischandra Sathischandra's Youtube channel]
• [https://srilankamirror.com/photo-story/10594-sathischandra-edirisinghe-pays-a-visit-to-the-vedda-chief-pics Sathischandra Edirisinghe pays a visit to the Vedda chief]
• [http://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2011/01/23/mon07.asp Meeting Sathischandra Edirisinghe]
• [http://chevron.lk/caltex-water-life-enters-north-and-east/ ‘caltex water & life’ enters north and east]
• [http://www.sarasaviya.lk/interviews/2019/11/07/11971/මම-රස්සාවකට-ගියේ-නෑ-ගියේ-සේවයට මම රස්සාවකට ගියේ නෑ ගියේ සේවයට]
• [http://www.sundaytimes.lk/000528/tv.html 'Sathmahala' : Story of rich and affluent]
• [http://www.sarasaviya.lk/news/2020/02/20/16339/සතිස්ගේ-යකඩ-කට සතිස්ගේ යකඩ කට]

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Category:Sri Lankan male film actors

Category:Living people

Category:1941 births