He is a singer with a mission. His musical art is not merely or even mainly, a mode of entertainment; it is, above all, a mission, a vehicle of his conscience.
His songs deal not only with the themes of love, friendship, family relationships, ethical obligations and ethnic harmony, but even peaceful of revolution.
His voice, once a lover's whisper, once a father'skind by advice and once a true friend's caring always touches the deepest chords of ones' soul.
Born on the December 19th , 1949 Patikirige Sunil Jayapreethi Edirisinghe was the youngest among seven siblings, talented artists. Considering to the likes of Visharada Amaradeva, Sunil Shantha, Ananda Samarakoone and Rukmani Devi, the pioneering place among the sinhala singers of the modern age , and and to the likes of Visharada Nanda Malini, Victor Rathnayaka and Sanath Nandasiri, as the representatives of he second generation. Sunil Edirisinghe would most certainly ranks among the leading humanities of music representing the third generation.
On completion of his secondary education, Sunil joined the Government Printing Corporation in 1969. The same year, he embarked on his musical career as a play back singer in the film "Matara Achchi" directed by his illustrious brother Satischandra Edirisinghe. The Music Director for his first song "Sandakada Pahana" was Victor Ratnayaka, while the lyrics were composed by Wally Nanayakkara.
Sunil gained instant popularity as a play-back singer and soon was in high demand, and has played that role in more than 25 films. [In 1975 having graduated with First Class Honours, from "Bhatkande" the famous Academy of Music in India he joined the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation where he soon excelled as a semi classical singer .] In 1977 for the first time, four of Sunil's songs were recorded in a CD for which he had Rohana Weerasinghe the musical director was . His fans got had the opportunity to enjoy his first complete cassette in the latter half of 1980.
In 1985 Sunil launched his own musical show "Sandakada Pahana" with a highly acclaimed and successful tour of six European countries. It has been one of the most popular shows in Sri Lanka, with over 150 shows being held at various locations.
Having over 600 songs to his credit, Sunil Edirisinghe has won a number of " Sarasavi Awards" and was also honoured with a Presidential Award in 1983. He has won the " Swarna Sankha Award" on two occasions.
The service rendered by Sunil Edirisinghe to the development of Sinhala music was recognized at the State Music Festival held in 1999.
Sunil has always shown a preference for songs with meaningful lyrics, which touch our hearts and go deep down to our soul.