SRIYANI BACK IN LONDON ON POPULAR DEMAND

by Thilak S. Fernando

Sriyani Amarasena, the well known actress, script writer, film producer, director in cinematic creations in Sri Lanka arrived in London with her technical team on 23rd September 2001, to start on her third successive Anglo- Sri Lankan film/teledrama on popular demand.

Sriyani has been inspired to produce her third film in London due to numerous requests and her two previous teledramas becoming extremely popular with the Sri Lankan TV audiences. Her second teledrama Hemanthaye Wasantheyak, which is being screened on Sri Lankan television at present is maintaining a Number One rating these days.

Sriyanai Amarasena's idea of finding new talent from the expatriate community in London has paid off in the past, and in her third film she has stretched her ambition to a maximum by making ninety nine percent of actors from London. Except Sriyani Amarasena the only actor from Sri Lanka to take part in her latest film is the well known and experienced Robin Fernando .

The Muhurath ceremony took place on 25 September 2001 at the London Buddhist Vihara by observing the traditional Buddhist religious rites. Sriyani has not decided on a name for the film so far, but cameras are rolling and filming is in progress already.

The story is a complicated plot, which should make everyone curious and interested in watching. The film script is by K.B.Herath and Sriyani Amarasena is the Director. Another well known name in Sri Lanka, Somadasa Maldeniya works as the Assistant Director with Sriyani. Saman Sigera handles the camera; lights and boom are taken care of by Wasantha de Alwis and Ramesh Malinthakumara is in charge of the sound recording. Still photographs are taken by Nimal @ Wimalco in London.

The film is a co-production of Sriyani Amarasena, Lilani Perera and Cecil Withanachchi. Apart from the veterans, Sriyani Amarasena, and Robin Fernando, in the Sinhala cinema, local talent which will enrich the new film comprise of Wimal Alahakoon, Prema Ganegoda, Lilani Perera, Anura Hegoda, Tilak S. Fernando, Diana Rajapakse, Preethika de Alwis, Ramesh Ekanayake, Karuni Bodhinayake, Nuwan Bulathgama, Punya Weerasinghe, Rasika Weerasinghe, Himanjali Nanayakkara, Ronald Williams, Isuru Sandaruwan, Ruwani Hewage, Thomas Joseph Mann, and ' Kanishka Manjula Withrana.

The production team acknowledges with thanks the British Authorities and Institutions for their help and the extended co-operation, which will make their life much easier in making their third Anglo -Sri Lankan film/ teledrama in London.