Sathischandra Edirisinghe

Kalasuri Patikirige Sathischandra Edirisinghe (; 11 February 1941 – 23 December 2025) was a Sri Lankan actor in film, stage drama and television. Edirisinghe was an actor and director whose professional career in Sri Lankan cinema, theatre, and television spanned more than six decades.

Background Sathischandra Edirisinghe was born in Kelaniya on 11 February 1941 as the sixth child of the family. His father, Patikirige Edirisinghe, served as a chief supervisor in the Department of Cottage Industries, and his mother, Ushettige Elizabeth Perera, was a housewife. He had one elder brother, Dharmasiri; four elder sisters, Techla Sandaseelee, Florida Katherine, Mershia Sirima, and Mary Elizabeth; and two younger brothers, Nimal Ranjith and Sunil. His younger brother, Sunil Edirisinghe, is a singer in the Sri Lankan music industry.

Edirisinghe completed his education at five schools. He started his preschool career with Sir D. B. Jayatilaka Vidyalaya, then entered Sri Dharmaloka College, Kelaniya, in 1947. After ten years at the school, Edirisinghe then moved to St. Mary's College, Elpitiya, in 1958 to complete A/L from art stream. In 1960, he entered Stafford College, and in 1964, he completed his secondary education at Vidyodaya Pirivena, Maligakanda. His remains were laid to rest for public rites at his residence on 24 December. The final rites were scheduled to take place at Kanatte Cemetery.

Theatre work Edirisinghe's first teacher at Sri Dharmaloka Central College was Ravilal Wimaladharma, who had a keen interest in literature and music. At grade 5, he tried to act as Madduma Bandara at home, a drama from his literature book. For his role in Anton Chekhov’s Proposal at the inter-school drama competition, Edirisinghe was adjudged the Best Actor of the Southern Province.

Notable works 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

Television acting Edirisinghe's first television role was Lucien Bulathsinhala's Ekamawakage Daruwo in 1982. In the drama, he played the main role, a school principal. He played in many popular films during the early stage of Sri Lankan television, such as Mihikathage Daruwo, Tharadevi, and Palingu Menike.

Notable works - as actor

Ambu Daruwo Aravinda saha Indu Avindu Adura Chandi Kumarihami Eke Mawakege Daruwo Gauwen Gauwa Kadathira Kokila Ginna Mihikathege Daruwo Minigandela Nisala Vilthera Paligu Menike Sausiri Uyana Senehelatha Menike Sivmansala Sonduru SIthaththi Sudu Hamine Sudu Mahaththuru Sudu Paraviyo Sujatha Sura-asura Suseema Thara Devi Uthuru Sulanga Uthuwankande Sura Saradiyel Wassanaye Hiru Evidin

Notable works - both as producer and actor Tikiri Nileme Namal Golla Bopath Sakkiya Girikula Andereya Suwanda Padma Diyawadana Maluwa Monaravila Sathmahala

Stage and film directing In 1963, Edirisinghe started his first direction and production of stage dramas with the play Baka Thapas. Out of 20 stage plays he acted in, six of them were his production and direction.

Beyond acting In 1965, Edirisinghe was attached to Ceylon Transport of Bus (CTB) as a clerk. After the marriage and a few years of work, he resigned from CTB and joined Mahaweli Authority in 1986. In the authority, he served as the Manager in Cultural Affairs from 1986 to 1998. He wrote nearly 25 books, eight of which were children's literature. He went with a scriptwriter to Kuwait in 1990 for a stage drama. During that period, Sadaam Hussein captured control of Kuwait, and the crew was stuck there for 47 days in the Middle East, after which they returned to Sri Lanka.

During a family trip to Ella, Badulla, in January 2019, gold jewellery and cash worth nearly Rs.189,000 were stolen from the family. Police said that the thief might have entered the room through a window, as one of the windows was opened.

Author works 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

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

Raigam Tele'es

Filmography Edirisinghe started his film career with Sadol Kandulu back in 1966, directed by Senator Reggie Perera. In 1982, his film Adhishtanaya was screened at the International Mannheim Film Festival in Germany, where it received recognition, which he also took to the Ludwigshafen Film Congress.

No. denotes the number of Sri Lankan films in the Sri Lankan cinema.

Year No. Film Role Notes Ref. 1966 150 Sampatha 170 Sadol Kandulu Monk first cinematic appearance 1969 205 Hari Maga Monk 1970 229 Sidadiyen Hayak 1971 236 Poojithayo Father 1973 269 Matara Achchi Cyril also as Director, Screenwriter, Producer 1975 322 Rajagedata Paraviyo also as Director, Screenwriter 1977 363 Sri Madara also as Director, Screenwriter 1979 433 Podi Malli Palitharatne 1981 497 Sathara Diganthaya also as Director, Producer 1982 513 Adhishtanaya also as Director, Screenwriter, Producer 1983 556 Karate Joe 1984 586 Veera Madduma Bandara 594 Wadula Galapathy Kandey Vidanaya also as Director 597 Hima Kathara Silva 1985 626 Rosy 1986 646 Koti Waligaya 1990 712 Christhu Charithaya Peduru 1992 764 Muwan Palesse Kadira 1994 797 Jayagrahanaya 804 Sujathaa Colonel Weerakoon 1996 864 Bithu Sithuwam 846 Body Guard 1997 872 Tharanaya 1998 904 Dorakada Marawa Subha's father 1999 918 Surangana Yahana 2000 930 Undaya Ranil Seneviratne 2002 993 Sathkampa Kumari's father 2003 Mother Teresa Sikh Government Inspector Home movie 2009 1132 Kanyavi Janaka's father 2010 1144 Ira Handa Yata Monk 2015 1237 Suhada Koka Minister Narendrasinghe 2017 Hath Pana Story teller Home movie 2018 1303 Punchi Andare Andare's grandfather TBD Kondadeniye Hamuduruwo TBD Sihina Sarungal