ALFRED EDIRIMANNE
Man of many parts excelled in films, dramas
The 18th death anniversary of yesteryear actor, dramatist and film enthusiast Alfred Edirimanne falls tomorrow, November 27. A super hero of the fifties Sinhala movies, Alfred Edirimanne became an overnight sensation with his title role in Cinemas’ ‘Sooraya’ and from then onwards he played multiple roles in Nalangana, Adata Wediya Heta Hondai, Udarata Menike, La Dalu, Maha Re Hamuwu Sthriya, Athma Pooja, Lokuma Hinawa, Vanamala, Weera Wijaya, Pipena Kumudu, Singapore Charlie, Hathara wate and several others. Recalling unforgettable memories about her late husband, Ms. Sumana Edirimanne said all these achievements of Alfred came while he was also employed in the public service. “If not for his commitment and dedication for his job, he could have done very much more for the Sinhala cinema. He was initially a stage actor and Cinemas Chief Mr. Gunaratnam had once seen one of his plays and offered him a film role in ‘Duppathage Duka’. But since he could not get sufficient leave for the shooting schedule in India, he had to play a vital role in the ‘Vessanthara Jathakaya’ docu film that was screened together with Duppathage Duka. He got leave to play the lead role in ‘Sooraya’ and since then he balance his work and films to reach celebrity status. He also directed a movie called ‘Hari Putha’ but the project had to be stalled half way through due to unforeseen circumstances,” she reminisced. “Alfred also played a pioneering role to set up the National Film Corporation. He was a courageous man who could not stand injustice. I gave him all the support by looking after the family so that he could focus on films. Our house at No. 10, sarasavi gardens, Nugegoda, where we still live was always filled with film world personalities,” she said recalling the days she fell in love with Alfred. “We married on March 31, 1966 following a 7-year love affair. I was a nurse by profession and I met him when he was being treated in hospital. The bigwigs of our cinema industry attended our wedding. We have two sons and two daughters but none of them have followed in their father’s footsteps,” said Ms. Edirimanne.