Soma Edirisinghe

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Soma Edirisinghe
Born (1939-07-05) July 5, 1939
Meegoda, Sri Lanka.
Residence Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Nationality Sri Lanka Sri Lankan
Ethnicity Sinhalese
Occupation Entrepreneur
Known for Chiarperson of EAP group of Companies[1]
Title Deshabandu, Deshashakthi , Lion
Spouse(s) E.A.P Edirisinghe
Children Jeewaka, Nalaka, Asanka, Deepa.
Website
http://janasarana.org

Soma Edirisinghe(Sinhala: සෝමා එදිරිසිංහ) is an entrepreneur,[2] a film producer, a philanthropist and a social worker in Sri Lanka. She was born in Meegoda, Sri Lanka on 5 July 1939 to a family of nine children.

Personal life

Edirisinghe was married to E.A.P Edirisinghe who was the founder of EAP group of Companies. They had three Sons; Jeewaka, Nalaka, Asanka and Daughter Deepa.

Businesses

Her career as an entrepreneur began in 1974 with the sudden demise of her husband Mr. EAP Edirisinghe, the founder of the EAP group of Companies. From that day onwards she has been playing the role of Chairperson of the EAP Group of Companies. The Organization which consists of 25 subsidiaries deals in diverse areas of businesses such as Broadcasting, Telecasting,[3] Financial Services,[4] Insurance,[5] Production and Exhibition of Films,[6] Retailing Gold Jewellery[7] & Pawning Services, Housing, & Land Sales, Hotels,[8] Importing and Retailing of Vehicles etc.[9]

Filmography

Edirisinghe produced 12 movies in Sinhala Cinema[10][11]

  • Dhawala Pushpaya(1994)
  • Seilama
  • Wisidela(1997)
  • Rosa Wasanthe(2001)
  • Kinihiriya Mal(2001)[12]
  • Salelu Warama(2002)
  • Re Daniel Dawal Migel 3(2004)
  • Ira Madiyama(2005)
  • Asani Warsha(2005)
  • Tharaka Mal(2007)
  • Heart FM(2008)
  • Sir Last Chance(2009)

Philanthropy

Lions Club

Edirisinghe joined the Lions Club of Thimbirigasyaya on its inception in 1974. She become the first lady to be elected to the position of District Governor 2003 -2004.[13] 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 Movement

Edirisinghe is the Founder and the Chairperson of the Janasarana Foundation, an independent non-profit organization that evolves round helping the under previlaged sectors of society.[14] Some of the projects she initiated include Chuo Maithree Pre-school, the Suwanetha Mobile Eye Care Clinic,[15] The Punarjeewa Fund for assisting the poor to undergo heart surgery, upgrading underdeveloped hospitals , scholarships and assistance to under privileged school children & underdeveloped schools,[16] helping destitute families and those displaced by war to get back on their feet, building houses for those affected by natural disasters such as the Floods, Drought and the Tsunami and most recently setting up of the Suwanetha Lions Eye Hospital.[17]

Honours & 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 Hon. Mahinda Rajapakse in 2005, now the President of Sri Lanka
  • 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.[18]
  • Conferred Honorary Doctorate for Entrepreneurship and Social Service from the Open University of Sri Lanka in 2005[16]
  • Unparalleled feat of being awarded 'Lion of the Year' on four occasions. (1994/95, 1995/96, 1997/98, 1999/2000)[19]
  • 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[20]
  • Sarasavi Award for the Best Film 1995 “Seylama”[21]
  • Sarasavi Award for the Best Film 1996 “Re Deniyal Daval Migel 2”
  • Sarasavi Award for the Most Popular Film 2001 “Rosa Wasanthaya”[12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Soma Edirisinghe (2012-01-31). "Soma Edirisinghe: Executive Profile & Biography - Businessweek". Investing.businessweek.com. Retrieved 2012-08-18. 
  2. ↑ "Dr. Soma | International Women'S Day". Internationalwomensday.org. Retrieved 2012-08-18. 
  3. ↑ http://www.swarnavahini.lk
  4. ↑ "Edirisinghe Trust Investment Limited". Eti.lk. Retrieved 2012-08-18. 
  5. ↑ "Sri Lanka's EAP group enters insurance broking with Omani firm". Lanka Business Online. 2012-04-24. Retrieved 2012-08-18. 
  6. ↑ Next Prev Sammy 02 3D. "EAP Films and Theaters Private Limited - Home". Eapmovies.com. Retrieved 2012-08-18. 
  7. ↑ "Swarna Mahal Jewelers – For All Life’s Golden Moments. Swarna Mahal Wedding Jewellery". Swarnamahal.lk. Retrieved 2012-08-18. 
  8. ↑ "Eap Group Ventures Into Niche Tourism With Boutique Hotels | The Sunday Leader". Thesundayleader.lk. Retrieved 2012-08-18. 
  9. ↑ "Online edition of Daily News - Business". Dailynews.lk. 2002-05-14. Retrieved 2012-08-18. 
  10. ↑ "Sinhala Cinema Database - Soma Edirisinghe". Films.lk. Retrieved 2012-08-18. 
  11. ↑ Soma Edirisinghe - IMDb
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Online edition of Sunday Observer - Business". Sundayobserver.lk. 2002-09-29. Retrieved 2012-08-18. 
  13. ↑ "District Governor | Lions Clubs of District 306 C1 | Sri Lanka". 306c1.com. Retrieved 2012-08-18. 
  14. ↑ "Features | Online edition of Daily News - Lakehouse Newspapers". Dailynews.lk. 2009-10-29. Retrieved 2012-08-18. 
  15. ↑ "About Us". Suwanethalionseyehospital.com. Retrieved 2012-08-18. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Portrait of a woman who took up the challenges of the biz world". Sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 2012-08-18. 
  17. ↑ "Opening of Suwanetha Lions Eye Hospital | The Sunday Leader". Thesundayleader.lk. Retrieved 2012-08-18. 
  18. ↑ "New Delhi News : Sri Lankan Minister thanks India". The Hindu. 2006-07-30. Retrieved 2012-08-18. 
  19. ↑ "Dr. Soma Edirisinghe | Global Women's Summits". Globalwomenssummits.com. Retrieved 2012-08-18. 
  20. ↑ "The Island- Features". Island.lk. Retrieved 2012-08-18. 
  21. ↑ "Sinhala Cinema Database - Seilama". Films.lk. 1995-03-10. Retrieved 2012-08-18. 

External links


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