Donna Mercy Nalini Edirisinghe (18 December 1945 – 17 March 2014) was a Sri Lankan actress in cinema, theater and television as well as a singer.
Her father Don Lorenzo Elvin Edirisinghe, worked as a typesetter at the printing press of the Department of Examinations.
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.
[2] Two years prior to her death, she underwent gynaecological surgery, and had been suffering from numerous hip and back pains since then.
With that, she was selected for the play Nil Katarolu produced by Sugathapala de Silva, particularly due to her loud screamy voice.
[9] However, her most notable stage drama acting came through the plays Tharavo Igilethi by Lucien Bulathsinhala and Ran Kanda by Chandrasena Dassanayake.
Then she acted in many comedy and dramatic roles in the films: Diyamanthi, Paḷagæṭiyō Sakvithi Suvaya, Nuvan Rēṇu, Mutu Mæṇikē, Okkoma Rajavaru, Hondīn Nættam Narakin, Hita Honda Puthek, Asayi Bayayi and Dhavala Puṣhpaya.
She was the "Doolittle" on the radio drama Handiya Gedara and was the sister of Jane in Vajira, "Ungu" on Samanala Bedda, "Ethana" in Muwan Palessa and "Bagalawathi Iskola Hamine" in Rasara.
[9] In 2014, she marked her 50th anniversary of her career and in recognition of her service to the arts, she was to be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2014 State Drama Festival.
Before her death, her autobiography was released titled "Hela Hasa Rajina: Mercy Edirisinghe" written by Niranjala Hemamalee Wedikkara.