Soma Edirisinghe (Sinhala: සෝමා එදිරිසිංහ; 5 July 1939 – 5 November 2015) was a Sri Lankan corporate executive, film producer, philanthropist and social worker.[2] She was born in Meegoda, Sri Lanka on 5 July 1939 to a family of nine daughters,[3] and died on 5 November 2015 at a private hospital in Colombo.[4] She was married to EAP Edirisinghe and they had four children: three sons, Jeewaka, Nalaka and Asanka, and a daughter, Deepa.
Edirisnghe was the daughter of Charles Perera, a farmer; her mother was a housewife. She attended Meegoda Government School, Dharmapala Vidyalaya Pannipitaya and Samudradevi School in Nugegoda (St.john's College), a suburb of Colombo.
EAP Edirisinghe initially proposed marriage to one of her sisters, however the offer was declined.[5]
Business career
Her career began in 1974 with the sudden death of her husband, EAP Edirisinghe, the founder of EAP Holdings. Friends and family expected her to sell the business due to her lack of knowledge and experience in the commercial world. Instead, however, she became the company's chairperson and expanded into a number of new fields.[5] The organization now consists of 25 subsidiaries and is one of the largest business conglomerates in Sri Lanka.[6] It deals in broadcasting and telecasting,[7][8] financial services,[9] insurance,[10] production and exhibition of films,[11] retailing gold jewellery,[12] pawning services, housing, land sales, hotels,[13] and importing and retailing of vehicles.[14]
EAP's media arm is considered a leader in the Sri Lankan industry, owning two television stations and three radio stations including Swarnawahini, Shree FM, RanOne and E FM.[3]
Filmography
Edirisinghe expanded the family business into film-making[7] and produced 20 movies in Sinhala cinema[15][16]
Edirisinghe began her philanthropic work in 1961, during a devastating flood in the provinces of Sri Lanka. She joined a group of celebrities and personalities to bring relief supplies to those affected.[5] She later stated that she became increasingly involved in charity work as a way of dealing with the loneliness of losing her husband.[19]
Lions Club
Edirisinghe joined the Lions Club of Thimbirigasyaya on its inception in 1974. She became the first lady to be elected to the position of District Governor in 2003–04.[20] Also, she was elected to serve as the District Governor of International Association of Lions Club District 306 C2 at its Annual Convention held in Colombo on 18 March 2003.
Janasarana Foundation
Edirisinghe was the founder and the chairperson of the Janasarana Foundation, an independent non-profit organisation that revolves round helping the underprivileged sectors of society.[21] Some of the projects she initiated include Chuo Maithree Pre-school, the Suwanetha Mobile Eye Care Clinic,[22] the Punarjeewa Fund for assisting the poor to undergo heart surgery, upgrading underdeveloped hospitals, scholarships and assistance to under privileged school children and underdeveloped schools,[23] helping destitute families and those displaced by war to recover, building houses for those affected by natural disasters such as floods, drought and the tsunami and most recently setting up the Suwanetha Lions Eye Hospital.[24]
The foundation has also donated 300,000 pairs of spectacles to needy people, and mentored new entrepreneurs into their first businesses.[7]
Honours and awards
Deshabandu National Award & Gold Medal for outstanding humanitarian services to the nation in January 2004
Deshashakthi National award for outstanding humanitarian services to the nation presented by the then Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapakse in 2005.
Excellency Award 2006 presented by the Society of Sri Lanka Justices of Peace and Human Rights Organization and Sulabh International Academy of Environmental Sanitation, New Delhi, India. Sanitation New Delhi and the Society of the Sri Lanka Justices of the Peace for humanitarian services.[25]
Unparalleled feat of being awarded 'Lion of the Year' on four occasions. (1994/95, 1995/96, 1997/98, 1999/2000)[26]
Special Award of Appreciation – Presented by the SAARC Women's Chamber of Commerce for Building Bridges of Friendship in 2001
The People's Award 2007 – "People's Social Worker of the Year" – presented by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing in recognition of outstanding services rendered to the community[27]
^ ab. Sundayobserver.lk. 29 September 2002. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
^'Heart FM' for EAP's golden jubilee in cinema Sunday Times, Retrieved on 31 December 2006.
^"Portrait of a woman who took up the challenges of the biz world". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
^"District Governor | Lions Clubs of District 306 C1 | Sri Lanka". 306c1.com. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
^"Features | Online edition of Daily News – Lakehouse Newspapers". Dailynews.lk. 29 October 2009. Archived from the original on 19 February 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
^"About Us". Suwanethalionseyehospital.com. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
^ ab"Portrait of a woman who took up the challenges of the biz world". Sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
^"Opening of Suwanetha Lions Eye Hospital | The Sunday Leader". Thesundayleader.lk. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
^"New Delhi News : Sri Lankan Minister thanks India". The Hindu. 30 July 2006. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
^"Dr. Soma Edirisinghe | Global Women's Summits". Globalwomenssummits.com. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
^"The Island- Features". Island.lk. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
^"Sinhala Cinema Database – Seilama". Films.lk. 10 March 1995. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
^Memoirs of a glorious life: Dr. Soma Edirisinghe : translation of Asirimath Jeewithayak by Dayawansa Karunamuni. 1 January 2011. OL 25276817M.
External links
You will continue to live in our hearts forever
Swarnamahal
Swarnamahal Financial Services PLC
EAP Films and Theaters Private Limited
Jansarana Foundation
සිනමාවේ EAP ලකුණ ඊ. ඒ. පී. එදිරිසිංහ
January 21, 2023
soma, edirisinghe, sinhala, එද, july, 1939, november, 2015, lankan, corporate, executive, film, producer, philanthropist, social, worker, born, meegoda, lanka, july, 1939, family, nine, daughters, died, november, 2015, private, hospital, colombo, married, edir. Soma Edirisinghe Sinhala ස ම එද ර ස හ 5 July 1939 5 November 2015 was a Sri Lankan corporate executive film producer philanthropist and social worker 2 She was born in Meegoda Sri Lanka on 5 July 1939 to a family of nine daughters 3 and died on 5 November 2015 at a private hospital in Colombo 4 She was married to EAP Edirisinghe and they had four children three sons Jeewaka Nalaka and Asanka and a daughter Deepa Soma EdirisingheBorn 1939 07 05 5 July 1939Meegoda Sri LankaDied5 November 2015 2015 11 05 aged 76 Colombo Sri LankaNationalitySri LankanKnown forChairperson of EAP Holdings 1 TitleDeshabandu Deshashakthi LionSpouseE A P EdirisingheWebsitejanasarana wbr org Contents 1 Early life 2 Business career 3 Filmography 4 Philanthropy 4 1 Lions Club 4 2 Janasarana Foundation 5 Honours and awards 6 Autobiography 7 References 8 External linksEarly life EditEdirisnghe was the daughter of Charles Perera a farmer her mother was a housewife She attended Meegoda Government School Dharmapala Vidyalaya Pannipitaya and Samudradevi School in Nugegoda St john s College a suburb of Colombo EAP Edirisinghe initially proposed marriage to one of her sisters however the offer was declined 5 Business career EditHer career began in 1974 with the sudden death of her husband EAP Edirisinghe the founder of EAP Holdings Friends and family expected her to sell the business due to her lack of knowledge and experience in the commercial world Instead however she became the company s chairperson and expanded into a number of new fields 5 The organization now consists of 25 subsidiaries and is one of the largest business conglomerates in Sri Lanka 6 It deals in broadcasting and telecasting 7 8 financial services 9 insurance 10 production and exhibition of films 11 retailing gold jewellery 12 pawning services housing land sales hotels 13 and importing and retailing of vehicles 14 EAP s media arm is considered a leader in the Sri Lankan industry owning two television stations and three radio stations including Swarnawahini Shree FM RanOne and E FM 3 Filmography EditEdirisinghe expanded the family business into film making 7 and produced 20 movies in Sinhala cinema 15 16 Dhawala Pushpaya 1994 Seilama 1995 received Sarasaviya Award for Best Film Visidela 1997 Re Daniel Dawal Migel 1 1998 Re Daniel Dawal Migel 2 2000 Rosa Wasanthe 2001 received Sarasaviya Award for Most Popular Film Kinihiriya Mal 2001 17 Salelu Warama 2002 Yakada Pihatu 2003 Ra Daniel Dawal Migel 3 2004 Ira Madiyama 2005 received Sarasaviya Award and Presidential Award for Best Film One Shot 2005 Asani Warsha 2005 Hiripoda Wassa 2006 Samaara 2007 Tharaka Mal 2007 Heart FM the film 2008 18 Sir Last Chance 2009 Siri Daladagamanaya 2014 Ko Mark No Mark 2014 Philanthropy EditEdirisinghe began her philanthropic work in 1961 during a devastating flood in the provinces of Sri Lanka She joined a group of celebrities and personalities to bring relief supplies to those affected 5 She later stated that she became increasingly involved in charity work as a way of dealing with the loneliness of losing her husband 19 Lions Club Edit Edirisinghe joined the Lions Club of Thimbirigasyaya on its inception in 1974 She became the first lady to be elected to the position of District Governor in 2003 04 20 Also she was elected to serve as the District Governor of International Association of Lions Club District 306 C2 at its Annual Convention held in Colombo on 18 March 2003 Janasarana Foundation Edit Edirisinghe was the founder and the chairperson of the Janasarana Foundation an independent non profit organisation that revolves round helping the underprivileged sectors of society 21 Some of the projects she initiated include Chuo Maithree Pre school the Suwanetha Mobile Eye Care Clinic 22 the Punarjeewa Fund for assisting the poor to undergo heart surgery upgrading underdeveloped hospitals scholarships and assistance to under privileged school children and underdeveloped schools 23 helping destitute families and those displaced by war to recover building houses for those affected by natural disasters such as floods drought and the tsunami and most recently setting up the Suwanetha Lions Eye Hospital 24 The foundation has also donated 300 000 pairs of spectacles to needy people and mentored new entrepreneurs into their first businesses 7 Honours and awards EditDeshabandu National Award amp Gold Medal for outstanding humanitarian services to the nation in January 2004 Deshashakthi National award for outstanding humanitarian services to the nation presented by the then Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapakse in 2005 Excellency Award 2006 presented by the Society of Sri Lanka Justices of Peace and Human Rights Organization and Sulabh International Academy of Environmental Sanitation New Delhi India Sanitation New Delhi and the Society of the Sri Lanka Justices of the Peace for humanitarian services 25 Conferred Honorary Doctorate for Entrepreneurship and Social Service from the Open University of Sri Lanka in 2005 23 Unparalleled feat of being awarded Lion of the Year on four occasions 1994 95 1995 96 1997 98 1999 2000 26 Special Award of Appreciation Presented by the SAARC Women s Chamber of Commerce for Building Bridges of Friendship in 2001 The People s Award 2007 People s Social Worker of the Year presented by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing in recognition of outstanding services rendered to the community 27 Sarasaviya Award for the Best Film 1995 Seylama 28 Sarasaviya Award for the Best Film 1996 Re Deniyal Daval Migel 2 Sarasaviya Award for the Most Popular Film 2001 Rosa Wasanthaya 17 Sarasaviya Award for the Best Film 2005 Ira Madiyama 6 Award for Excellent Social Worker by Empowering Women in the Society 2011 6 Autobiography EditIn 2011 Edirisinghe published her autobiography Memoirs of a Glorious Life 29 References Edit Soma Edirisinghe 31 January 2012 Soma Edirisinghe Executive Profile amp Biography Businessweek Investing businessweek com Retrieved 18 August 2012 Sri Lankan Iron Lady Sarasaviya Retrieved 11 March 2017 a b In Remembrance of Mrs Soma Edirisinghe Ceylon Business Reporter Ceylon Business Reporter Retrieved 6 November 2015 Soma Edirisinghe passes away at age 76 Adaderana 5 November 2015 a b c Sandum W 19 December 2011 The Success Story of Soma Edirisinghe Lanka Help Magazine Retrieved 6 November 2015 a b c JANASARANA FOUNDATION janasarana org Retrieved 6 November 2015 a b c Sri Lanka Leaders www google webhosting com Retrieved 6 November 2015 Swarnavahini www Swarnavahini lk Edirisinghe Trust Investment Limited Eti lk Archived from the original on 21 February 2013 Retrieved 18 August 2012 Sri Lanka s EAP group enters insurance broking with Omani firm Lanka Business Online 24 April 2012 Archived from the original on 9 October 2012 Retrieved 18 August 2012 Next Prev Sammy 02 3D EAP Films and Theaters Private Limited Home Eapmovies com Retrieved 18 August 2012 Swarna Mahal Jewelers For All Life s Golden Moments Swarna Mahal Wedding Jewellery Swarnamahal lk Retrieved 18 August 2012 Eap Group Ventures into Niche Tourism With Boutique Hotels The Sunday Leader Thesundayleader lk Retrieved 18 August 2012 Online edition of Daily News Business Dailynews lk 14 May 2002 Archived from the original on 27 December 2004 Retrieved 18 August 2012 Sinhala Cinema Database Soma Edirisinghe Films lk Retrieved 18 August 2012 Soma Edirisinghe IMDb a b Online edition of Sunday Observer Business Sundayobserver lk 29 September 2002 Archived from the original on 4 March 2016 Retrieved 18 August 2012 Heart FM for EAP s golden jubilee in cinema Sunday Times Retrieved on 31 December 2006 Portrait of a woman who took up the challenges of the biz world www sundaytimes lk Retrieved 6 November 2015 District Governor Lions Clubs of District 306 C1 Sri Lanka 306c1 com Retrieved 18 August 2012 Features Online edition of Daily News Lakehouse Newspapers Dailynews lk 29 October 2009 Archived from the original on 19 February 2013 Retrieved 18 August 2012 About Us Suwanethalionseyehospital com Retrieved 18 August 2012 a b Portrait of a woman who took up the challenges of the biz world Sundaytimes lk Retrieved 18 August 2012 Opening of Suwanetha Lions Eye Hospital The Sunday Leader Thesundayleader lk Retrieved 18 August 2012 New Delhi News Sri Lankan Minister thanks India The Hindu 30 July 2006 Archived from the original on 25 January 2013 Retrieved 18 August 2012 Dr Soma Edirisinghe Global Women s Summits Globalwomenssummits com Archived from the original on 24 January 2013 Retrieved 18 August 2012 The Island Features Island lk Retrieved 18 August 2012 Sinhala Cinema Database Seilama Films lk 10 March 1995 Retrieved 18 August 2012 Memoirs of a glorious life Dr Soma Edirisinghe translation of Asirimath Jeewithayak by Dayawansa Karunamuni 1 January 2011 OL 25276817M External links EditYou will continue to live in our hearts forever Edirisinghe Trust Investment Swarnamahal Swarnamahal Financial Services PLC EAP Films and Theaters Private Limited Jansarana Foundation ස නම ව EAP ලක ණ ඊ ඒ ප එද ර ස හ Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Soma Edirisinghe amp oldid 1114950032, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
