Donna Mercy Nalini Edirisinghe (18 December 1945 – 17 March 2014) was an actress in Sri Lankan, cinema, theater and television as well as a singer. She is also well known for her role in numerous comedic television shows and radio dramas, the most famous of which is a radio program titled 'Vinoda Samaya', in which she acts alongside Annesly Dias, Berty Gunattileke and Samuel Rodrigo. She began her singing career in 1964 from the 'Nawaka Madala' song contest and became a stage actress in 1966. Her most famous play was a musical by Lucien Bulathsinhala, titled Tharavo Igilethi. Composed by Gunadasa Kapuge, "Made Lagina Tharawan" from the soundtrack of the play became her most successful single. Personal life She was born on 18 December 1945 in Wellahenawatte, Issanpita, Ambepussa as the third child in a family of nine siblings. Her father Don Lorenzo Elvin Edirisinghe, worked as a typesetter at the printing press of the Department of Examinations. Her mother Grace Perera was a housewife. She was first educated at Ambepussa Sarasavi College, later at Pamunuwila Roman Catholic College and at St. Joseph's College, Rambukkana Parakrama Mixed School in Kegalle. She had one elder sister: Gert, one elder brother: Leo, four younger sisters: Ranjani, Nimal, Lathika, Raaji and two younger brothers: Nimal and Sunil. Her late husband, Lalith Kotalawela was a Buddhist from Kalutara. The couple had no children. Her devotion to her fans was such that just after her wedding she acted in the stage drama 'Muthu Kumari' at the Lumbini Theater on her way to her honeymoon. Lalith died in 2002 by a tragic accident. Mercy once started a restaurant in Warakapola with Lalith in the year 2000. After his death she became ill, unable to sustain the restaurant. Death Mercy had been ill for some time since 2012. She first developed a urinary tract infection. She then underwent a surgery to remove a tumor that had formed in the abdomen. Two years prior to her death, she underwent gynaecological surgery, and had been suffering from numerous hip and back pains since then. She had heart disease as well as diabetes. In addition developed a kidney infection. She died at a private hospital in Gampaha on 17 March 2014, aged 68. Her remains were laid to rest at the Art Gallery from 4 pm on 17th to 12 noon on 18th. In the afternoon, a special motorcade