Karawugodage Don Edwin Leetin (Film industry know as a Edwin Leetin) was born on 13th July 1932 at Kandana, SriLanka and his parents were Karawugodage Don Peduru Appuhami and Rupasinghe Arachchige Dona Annahami, he studied in De Mazaned College Kandana. During the year 1960, he got married to Beatrice Hettiarachchi. He was a father of three children, eldest daughter, Asha & two sons Harsha & Anjana.From his young age his dream was to join the film industry and become a Film Editor. His parents especially his mother understood his objective and supported him to join the film industry and become a Film Editor.

 

After completion of his studies in 1952 he joined Mr. Nayagam's Sundar Film Studio Kandana and learnt film editing from a famous Film Editor Mr. S. Ramanadhan.

 

Under the guide lines of Mr. S. Ramanadahan he became an Assistant Editor & his first film as an Assistant Editor was "PREMA THARAGAYA" (Film released on 27.03.1953) then in 1960 he joined Ceylon Studio's Kirulapana Colombo-05 as an Editor. His first film as a Joint Editor was "SUVINITHA LALANI" (Film released on 13.04.1961) and his first film as an Editor (Alone) was "SUDU SANDE KALU WALA" (Film released on 04.09.1963), 1964 he was promoted as Chief Editor. In addition to the above, he worked for Mr. Robin Thampo’s RT Studio Wellampitiya & Mr. L.M. Perera’s Sridhar Studio Kohuwala.

 

He worked with famous film Directors like Dr. Lester James Peiris, Mr. K.A.W. Perera, Mr. B. A. W. Jayamanne, Mr. M.S. Anandan, Mr. W.M.S. Thampo, Mr. Robin Thampo, Mr. L.M. Perera, Mr. Dharmasiri Caldera, Mr. Kingsly Rajapaksha, Mr. Amaranath Jaythilake, & Mr. Meryl Albert and many more.

 

He was a kind hearted person & a great artist. He shared his knowledge with youngster' s in the film industry, he taught and supported several youngster' s to become well developed film Editors.

He had Edited nearly one hundred Sinhala films. Naming a few:

 

As an Assistant Editor:

Prema Tharagaya, Daskun, Sundara Birinda, Ahankara Sthree, Dingiri Manika, Duppathage Duka, Ramyalatha, Kala Handa, Jeevitha Satana, Vanaliya, Deiyanne Rate, Daskama, Nalangana.

 

As a Joint Editor: 

Suvinitha Lalani, Daruwa Kageda, Suhada Divipiduma.

 

As an Editor:

Sudu Sande Kalu Wala, Deepashika, Kala Kala De Pala Pala De, Sulalitha Sobanee, Samiya Birindage Dewiyaya, Sithaka Mahima, Handapana, Sathutu Kandulu, Sudo Sudu, Hathara Maha Nidanaya, Hithata Hitha, Satha Panaha, Landaka Mahima, Seethala Wathura, Sangawena Sewanalla, Mahdena Muthtaa, Athulvima Thahanam, Kapatikama, Sudu Duwa, Sanasili Suwaya, Layata Laya, Hathara Kendare, Daru Duka, Rana Giraw, Singithi Surathal, Golu Hadawatha, Bicycle Hora, Indunila, Dehadaka Duka, Hathra Peraliya, Pick Pocket, Prewesam Wanna, Akkara Paha, Penawa Neda, Priyanga, Kathuru Muwath, Seeye Nottuwa, Nidanaya, Hathara Wate, Lokuma Hinawa, Ihatha Athmaya, Aparadaya Saha Danduwama, Dahakin Ekek, Dulika.

 

Short Film:

Akalata Parawuna Mal.

 

In 1972 he won a "Deepasika Film Award" for best Editor for the film "NIDANAYA" and in 1964, he was nominated for "Sarasaviya " award for the best Editor for the film "Kala Kala De Pala Pala De ".

His last film was Mr. K.A.W. Perera’s "DULIKA", unfortunately he died on the 11th of November 1972, before completing the film DULIKA.

 

In addition to the Film Editing he was involved in several areas of the industry and one of them was that, he was the Title Designer for the film “LOKUMA HINAWA” in addition to the Film Editor & he was planning to Produce & Direct the film and the script was almost ready with him to start but unfortunately he died in a very young age.