ALFRED EDIRIMANNE: MAN OF MANY PARTS

The 19th death anniversary of yesteryear actor, dramatist and film enthusiast Alfred Edirimanne falls on 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 Nalngana, 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. He was initially a stage actor and Cinemas Chief K. 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 later played the lead role in ‘Sooraya’ reaching celebrity status.