Despite joining the hysteria and the euphoria of seeing Sri Lanka reaching the finals of the Twenty-20 Cricket World Cup, many Sinhala filmgoers still thronged to the Feltham Assembly Hall to witness the London premier of the Sinhala film “Sasara Wasana Thuru”, known to be the first Sinhala film produced in the UK which includes an all UK cast and crew. This was a film directed and produced by Gamini Abeysinghe, a veteran actor of the golden age of Sinhala cinema who is obviously no stranger to the film trade. Gamini, who has acted in many popular Sinhala films and has shared the stage with some of the luminaries and the legends of Sinhala cinema starting from the past queen to the present queen of Sinhala cinema, Rukmani Devi to Malini Fonseka, is an avid lover of Sinhala Cinema. An acting prodigy who was discovered by illustrious novelist and radio presenter Karunarathna Abeysekara, Gamini was responsible for creating a number of stage productions for the UK Diaspora, but famously he was known for the restaging of R R Samarakone’s “Kelani Palam” here in London. 

 The film “Sasara Wasana Thuru,” a story of unconditional love, depicts two young lovers, besotted and devoted to each other entering into a web of life’s unexplained intricacies and complications where destiny seems to rule every option in their life.  Apart from the occasional witty lines that bring a smile to your face, it’s a moving story of a father and daughter’s unconditional love for each other and their heart rendering life story which not only keeps you on the edge of your seat but send you to grab for the nearest Kleenex.

 Many of the cast, including Gamini Abeysinghe, are well known in the UK Sri Lankan community for their artistic and cultural contributions. Sultry and ethereal beauty Ruvini Ranatunga, who has modelled for many of the famous Sri Lankan fashion designers and been in some of Gamini’s short films, is starring in the film with Ruvinda Gallage. Ruvini who played the role of Anjali in the play Anjali, had her share of acting spiffs for PPA Visaka UK and through the UK Amateur Dramatic Association Ranga Kala under the careful supervision of cultural buff Ari Dissanayke.

 This film also was the camera debut of Anupa Madewala, the son of Tissa Madawela and Sheila Madawela a couple who had been an integral part of the Sri Lankan cultural scene in the UK over the last thirty five years. The cast, which includes some of the well known figures in the Sri Lankan cultural scene in the UK are Sheila Madawela, Kumar Wickramasinghe, Hema Koralalage, Amitha Kularatne, Sandya Trayner, Clara Opatha, Channa Lokuliyana, Upali Sudusinghe, Vijaya Polpitya, Vithanage Dhanaratne, Achala Walpola, Madduma Ratnayke, Janaka Alahapperuma, Jack Leng, Moises Perez, Hasini Sudusinghe, Sophia Leng, Sanjali Ranatunga and Roshan Leng. The Director of Photography Anupa Madawela, Technical Director Tissa Madawela, play write Ishan Perusinghe, Director of Music Sanjeewa Kulawickrama, lyrics by Leelananda Somapala, edited by Lakruwan Nayanapriya & Roshan Dilipa Karunaratne. Assistant director Pandula Ranatunga, directed by Gamini Abeysinghe and produced by Wijewardena Rajapakse and Gamini Abeysinghe.

 The film “Sasara Wasana Thuru” which was received with roaring applause from the audience is already booked for shows in Paris, Munich, Rome, New York, Washington, Sydney and Canberra.  Speaking to News Lanka, Gamini Abeysinghe said that he is happy that his hard work is been appreciated by the Sinhala film goers of the UK and it is a great encouragement to his continued work. He spoke of his new project to restage Sriyatha Mendises’s popular drama Padada Asapuwa in the UK around October this year. For more information about the screenings of “Sasara Wasana Thuru” call 07824511968/ 02086406118 or www.gaminifilm.co.uk