UNFORGETTABLES
DHAMMIKA SIRIWARDANA
The 64th birth anniversary of well known film producer and director Dhammika Siriwardana (Alankulama Films) falls on Saturday, September 15. Dhammika Siriwardana made box office hits like Asai Mang Piyambanna, Suwanda Denuna Jeewithe, Paya Enna Hiruse, Rosa Kele, Kusa Paba and several popular tele dramas. Dhammika who initially entered the tele drama and film scene as a producer, later directed tele dramas like Sidangana and the box office hit movie ‘Suwanda Denuna Jeewithe’. The renowned Anuradhapura-based businessman was also a self-made story and screenplay writer. He later spread his wings to Colombo and excelled in his business ventures Family Super and Caserolle in Mount Lavinia. Dhammika had a great passion for the arts from his childhood. Most of the tele dramas which were directed by several talented directors were based on his own stories. Among his colleagues in the business and glamour worlds, Dhammika was known as a man with a golden heart and his demise on December 15, 2015 created a huge void in the film scene.
D. S. SAMARASINGHE
The 47th death anniversary of yesteryear politician, philanthropist, writer, and arts enthusiast D. S. Samarasinghe falls on September 13. He rendered yeoman service for the promotion of education and arts especially in the Kolonnawa area. The D. S. Samarasinghe Memorial Theatre in Kolonnawa was the first and only auditorium with a seating capacity of 750, being used to stage dramas and hold musical events. Born on April 7, 1918 he joined as a member of the Sinhala Maha Sabhawa under the guidance of former Premier SWRD Bandaranaike and later joined the SLFP in which he served as the joint secretary and was the Kolonnawa MP from 1960 to 1967. In 1963, he was instrumental in setting up Kolonnawa Balika Vidyalaya. The late Samarasinghe is the father of Dudley Samarasinghe
T. F. LATHEEF
The 11th death anniversary of veteran music director T. F. Latheef who composed music for several popular movies falls on September 17. Born in 1926, Latheef served at the SLBC for several years during which period he composed music to almost all leading singers in the country. He added musical beauty to a large number of evergreen melodies that came in films like Geetha, Sujeewa, Sunethra, Sukiri Kella, Obai Mamai and others. He passed away on September 17, 2007.
BERTY GALAHITIYAWA
The first death anniversary of veteran radio personality Berty Galahitiyawa who made significant contributions especially to the radio sector, falls on September 16. Having had his primary education at Talatu Oya Vidyalaya, he later completed his studies at Nugawela Central College. He joined the SLBC and soon his voice became popular amongst listeners. Having served as a director at SLBC he also served at the ITN too. He passed away on September 16, 2017. Long before the advent of television, Berty used his captivating voice to relay radio commentaries on the Kandy Esala Perahera. He served a stint as the general manager of ITN too for a few years while he also served as the Head of the Sri Lanka section at the Beijing broadcasting services in China.
SAMUEL RODRIGO
The 17th death anniversary of well-known comedian Samuel Rodrigo – better known as Amaris Ayya in Vinoda Samaya – falls on September 15. Born on September 22 in 1921 in Moratuwa, Samuel Rodrigo grew up in Kelaniya. He made his acting debut in W. B. Makuloluwa’s ‘Ohoma Hondada’ in 1946 and a few years later joined the ‘Wihilu Thahalu’ group at Radio Ceylon playing Amaris Ayya together with colleagues Berty Gunathilaka and Annesley Dias. Since then he was popular as Amaris Ayya. He also acted in several films and stage plays. He died on September 15, 2001 at the age of 80.
SAGARIKA GOMEZ
The 29th death anniversary of well-known radio artiste, singer and television presenter Sagarika Gomez falls on September 13. The girl with loads of promise died under tragic circumstances and her body was recovered from the Dehiwela beach after she was abducted the previous night. Sagarika took part in several arts and cultural events from her childhood. She sang and acted in stage plays like Maname, Sinhabahu, Pematho Jayathi Soko, Wessanthara and also took part as a Radio Ceylon dubbing artiste. She was also the co-producer of the ‘popular ‘Kala Rasanga’ segment on ITN.