Shines in Fiji

Bennett Ratnayake’s film ‘ Ira Handa Yata’ (Under the Sun and Moon) was awarded at the recently held Fiji Film Festival- 2013.

The film which had earlier received international acclaims won the Best Film Award at the Fiji festival.

Having directed ‘Aswesuma’ ( Consolation) and ‘ Sulanga’ ( The Wind), Bennet’s film is set in the backdrop of the country’s three decades long war. Jointly scripted by Sarath Gamlath and Bennet himself the film revolves around a deep friendship between a young soldier played by Udara Ratnayake and a middle aged Army Major played by talented Saumya Liyanage.

Played by Mahendra Perera, Palitha Silva, Chandani Seneviratne, Roger Seneviratne, Kaushalya Fernando, Damitha Abeyratne, Bimal Jayakody, Udara Rathnayake, Saumya Liyanage, Swineetha Weerasinghe, Veena Jayakody, Jagath Benaragama, Suminda Sirisena, Rangana Premaratne and Ajith Lokuge in the stellar cast, ‘ Ira Handa Yata’ has a large cast.

Among the international recognitions, the film won the best film award at the first edition of the Identitá Film Festival in Parma and Barcelo, Italy in addition to ‘ Honourable Mention’ at the Los Angeles International Film Festival and was nominated for the Silver Screen award at the 23rd Singapore International Film Festival. The film was also nominated for ‘ Best Performance’.

The film is produced by Samanmalee Hewamanne, Oliver Fernando, Ruwan Jayasinghe, Vijitha Herath (UK) and Dilan Fernando.