Quick Facts
Biography
Mercy Edirisinghe (18 December 1946 – 17 March 2014) was an actress in Sri Lankan, cinema, theater and television as well as a singer. She began her singing career in 1964 from the 'Nawaka Madala' song contest and became a stage actress in 1966. Her most famous play was a musical by Lucien Bulathsinhala, titled Tharavo Igilethi (Ducks fly). Composed by Gunadasa Kapuge, 'Made Lagina Tharawan' from the soundtrack of the play became her most successful original song. She is also well known for her role in numerous comedic television shows and radio dramas, the most famous of which is a radio program titled 'Vinoda Samaya', in which she acts alongside Annesley Dias, Berty Gunathilake and Samuel Rodrigo.
Life and career
Mercy Edirisinghe was born to Grace Perera and Don Lorenzo Elvin Edirisinghe, a typesetter at the Department of Examinations. Mercy, a Catholic, was the third child in a family of nine.
Her late husband, Lalith Kotalawela was a Buddhist from Kalutara. The couple had no children. Her devotion to her fans was such that just after her wedding she acted in the stage drama 'Muthu Kumari' at the Lumbini Theater on her way to her honeymoon. In 1966, she first entered the world of stage drama in Welikala Ratne's 'Ugurata Hora Beheth'. She had acted in numerous other stage dramas including 'Ran Kanda' and 'Seelavathi'. Over the years, she had built a solid reputation not only as a talented actress and singer but also as a comedian.
Death
Two years prior to her death, she underwent gynaecological surgery, and had been suffering from numerous hip/back pains since then. She died at a private hospital in Gampaha on 17 March 2014, aged 68.
Awards and honors
In 1974, Mercy won the Best Actress Award at the State Drama Festival for her role in R.R. Samarakoon's stage drama 'Idama'. She won two other Best Actress awards in 1975 and 1976. 2014 was to mark the 50th anniversary of her career and in recognition of her service to the arts, she was to be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2014 State Drama Festival.
Stage drama
- Ugurata Hora Beheth
- Ran Kanda
- Seelavathi
- Vishwa Sundari
- Muthu Kumari
- Tharavo Igilethi
- Idama
- Dunna Dunu Gamuwe
- Allapu Gedara
- Dewlo Doni
Radio
Mercy was a very popular voice in Sri Lankan radio drama.
- Muwanpelassa
- Vajira
- Samanala Bedda
- Handhiye Gedara
- Vinoda Samaya
Music albums
- Gayay Mercy Gee
- Mala Watakara Bambara Rena