SOMAWEERA SENANAYAKE
The first death anniversary of veteran novelist, scriptwriter and ex-journalist Somaweera Senanayake falls on June 9. He started his career as a sub editor and later rose to the post of editor in several newspapers and film weeklies. In a career spanning almost five decades, Somaweera later exploited his journalistic experience to enhance the quality of his film and tele drama scripts which became big hits among the masses.
Among the hundreds of literary works of Somaweera were award winning novels like Mawakage Geethaya, Yashorawaya, Menik Nadiya Gala Basee, Raja Kale Punchi Lamai and others. Most of his film scripts were directed by top directors like Dr. Lester James Peries, Vijaya Dharmasri and Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne. Among them were movies like Wekande Walawwa, Jeewithayen Jeewithayak, Aradhana, Sathweni Dawasa and others.