‘NIDAHASE PIYAA – DS’ premieres in Colombo and Jaffna

Suneth Malinga Lokuhewa’s newest movie ‘Nidahase Piyaa – DS’ was premiered in Colombo and Jaffna recently. The premiere of the Sinhala version was held at Regal Cinema, Colombo while the Tamil version of the movie titled ‘Desa Pithaa – DS’ was premiered in Jaffna.

The film which is now being screened in theatres focuses on the life and times of the country’s first Prime Minister the late D. S. Senanayake (Oct. 21, 1883 – March 22, 1952) who is regarded as the ‘Father of the Nation’ for the dominant role he played in establishing self rule and gaining independence for Sri Lanka in 1948. The film features prominent characters like SWRD Bandaranaike, Sir Baron Jayathilake, Henry Pedris, D. C. Senanayake, Sir James Peiris, E. W. Perera, A. E. Gunasinghe, CWW Cannangara, D. R. Wijewardene, J. R. Jayewardene, Srimath Poonnambalam Ramanathan, Dudley Senanayake, Sir Oliver Gunathilake and others who played pioneering roles in the country’s independence struggle. Seasoned campaigner Saman Weeraman served as the Consultant to the film produced by Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and co produced by J. C. Alawathuwala, Sasthriya Rajaputhra Weerasinghe. Shyamali Pathiranawasam, Padmasiri Ranawaka Arachchi, Sirinimal Kathriarachchi, Kithsiri Athulathmudali, Mohan Dilman Jayaratne, Clarence Kumarage, Channa Vikum Hettiarachchi, Mohamed Amanulla and others. Chandana Jayasinghe has handled the camera, Samantha Perera the music direction, Tharaka Adhikari the make up and Anton J. Fernando the media coordination. Veteran actor Lakshman Mendis plays the title role of the film with Thumindu Dodanthenna portraying the young DS. Susantha Chandramali plays Molly Dunuwila with Thisuri Yuwanika playing the younger days. Palitha Silva plays F. R. Senanayake while G. R. Perera and Nayana Hettiarachchi play the parents of the late DS Senanayake. Buddhadasa Vithanachchi plays Baron Jayathilaka, Sajeewa Rajaputhra plays John Kothelawala, Saranga Dissasekara (SWRD Bandaranaike), Janak Premalal (EW Perera), Sanjeewa Dissanayake (CWW Cannangara), Eranga Jeevantha (DR Wijewardene), Udith Abeyrathne`(jr Jayawardene), Somasiri Alakolanga (Ponnambalam Ramanathn), Kamal Deshapriya (Dudley Senanayake) and Richard Manamudali (Oliver Gunathilaka). Thesara Jayawardane, Anura Bandara Rajaguru, Sandun Wijesiri, Udeni Alwis, Sriyani Mahawatte and Sandun Wijesiri are among the others cast members.