UNFORGETTABLES
AMARNATH JAYATILAKA
The fifth death anniversary of awardwinning filmmaker Amarnath Jayatilaka falls on September 25. He started his career as a film critic and editor of books and film magazines. Later he produced and directed ten feature films which won several awards. His movie ‘Arunata Pera’ made in the mid eighties is considered a milestone in Lankan cinema. Among his other movies were Adarawanthayo (1968), Priyanga (1970), Thilaka and Thilakaa (1972), Siripala and Ranmenika (1977), Nivena Ginna (1977), Ek Dawasak Re (1978), Adara Geethaya (1985), Arunata Pera (1985), Yuvathipathi (1995) and Bheeshanaye Athuru Kathawak.
SWRD BANDARANAIKE
The 59th death anniversary of former Prime Minister the late S.W.R. D. Bandaranaike falls on September 26. Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike, born on January 8 in 1899, was widely known as a gifted politician and orator, but he was also an ardent arts lover. Despite his busy schedules as a politician, he had written several short stories and one of them (Maha Hene Reeri Yaka) was transformed into a film that was released in December 1971. Wally Nanayakkara, Malini Fonseka, Wijeratne Warakagoda and others played key roles in the film that was directed by Kithsiri Nihal Jayasinghe. During the funeral oration of well-known author W.A. de Silva in 1957, Mr. Bandaranaike had said he hoped to translate Mr. Silva’s novels into English once he retired from politics. But his life ended a couple of years later.
NALAKA WEDAMULLA
The sixth death anniversary of tele drama director Nalaka Wedamulla falls on October 1. Nalaka started his career as a child actor, winning the 1990 best child actor award at the state drama festival. He was also a member of the Lionel Ranwala Folk drama team for several years from 1994. Born in Galle on September 11 in 1976, Nalaka studied at Mahinda College. He joined the ‘Galu Naadaya’ street drama group after completing his ALS. Having joined the tele scene as a production assistant, he rose to be a director with several creations like Sara, Minipura Hatana, Dankuda, Bahirawa Kanda and Iti Mal on which he was working last. He died in a tragic accident in Nawinna at the age of 40.