Unforgettables

Jemini Kantha

The 21st death anniversary of Sinhala cinema’s pioneer comedy actress Jemini Kantha who was popular known as Josi Baba, falls on Friday, June 21. Jemini Kantha who was born in Matale in 1925, was a member of the then popular Minerva drama troupe. She acted in several stage plays before making a mark as a film actress in the first Sinhala talkie ‘Kadawunu Poronduwa’. Having acted in six more films, she gave up acting following her marriage.

B.S.Perera

The 31st death anniversary of B.S. Perera - one of Sri Lanka’s well-known comedy stars and film director, falls on Sunday, June 23.

B.S. , as he was lovingly known was born on March 31, 1924 and started his career as a trolley bus driver. He later entered films with a memorable role in ‘Dheewarayo. From thereon, he played a wide range of roles in hundreds of films and holds the record of being the actor who has acted in the most number of Sinhala movies. Among the noteworthy he films he acted in were Dheewarayo, Sathutu Kandulu, Sudo Sudu, Yatagiya Dawasa, Sengawena Sewanella, Senasuma Kothenada, Vasanthi, Senasili Suwaya, Rena Giraw, Okkoma Hari, Ohoma Hondada, Hitha Honda Minihek and several others. B. S. Perera passed away on June 23, 1982 in Chilaw after a brief illness.

Yasapalitha Nanayakkara

Yasapalitha Nanayakkara who was regarded as one Sri Lanka’s frontline commercial filmmakers passed away 17 years ago – on June 23. Born in Galle on June 19, 1940, Yasapalitha entered the film world by producing Thisahamy which was never screened. Then he wrote the script and acted in Vasanthi. But the real Yasapalitha emerged after he directed the hit movie ‘Thushara’ in 1973. From thereon he directed hit movies like Sahayata Denny, Pradeepe Ma Wewa, Ege Adara Kathawa, Geheniyak, Monarathenna, Tak Tik Tuk, Muwan Pelessa, Geethika, Anjana, Newatha Hamuwemu, Jaya Sikurui, Rosy, Yukthiyada Shakthiyada, Rasa Rahasak, Dedunne Samanaliyak, and several others