Dr.Ediriweera Sarachchandra; The giant personality of the theatre of SriLanka.

Sri Lankan stage drama culture possesses a golden history. Many playwrights, stage drama actors and actresses, singers all who have committed their lives behind its successful journey were the reasons to increase the number of spectators in the theatres. 

Many giant personalities in the Sri Lankan stage drama history are still alive in our hearts and minds. One such great personality is Professor Ediriweera Sarchchandra who contributed immensely to revive the rich traditional art forms of our country through his creations which received local and international praise. 

Vedithantrige Eustace Reginold De Silva was born on 3rd July 1914 in Rathgama, Dodandoowa in Galle district. His father was a post master so  the little Eustace had to had his education in several schools. He was able to gain admission to the University College, Colomboand studied Pali, Sanskrit and Sinhala for the first degree.

He wrote to many leading newspapers and magazines focussing on music and Sinhalese folklore under the pen name "Sarchchandra" which he later used as his own name.

He had a keen interest in music and he was a keen follower of Sinhalese folk songs as a child. Therefore he learnt to play various musical instruments during his childhood. In 1939 he gained admission to the Shanthi Nikethan, India to study Indin Philosophy and Music (Sitar). 

He began his career as a teacher and in 1942 he was appointed as a sub-editor and worked among the scholars compiling the Sinhala Dictionary. He was appointed as a lecturer at the University of Ceylon in 1944. He joined the faculty of Oriental Studies at the University of Ceylon in Peradeniya in 1952. He served as Sri Lanka's Ambassador to France from 1974 to 1977. He was awarded honorary degrees by the University of Peradeniya, University of Jaffna and University of Sri Jayawardhanapura. In 1933 he was made the chancellor of the University of Peradeniya. 

The immense service forwarded by Dr.Sarachchandra to the Sinhalese Art of Drama, Sinhalese literature is enormous. Maname, Sinhabahu, Mahasaara, Pabawathi are some of his popular stage plays.

He passed away on August 16, 1996, but still his literary work reminds us his great service.