• The Greatest Hits of Cher
• Damage is done
• Tom Jones show at Galadari
• 'Kadulu Thahanchiya': tussle over the lead role
• "Bopath Sakkiya": story on social values and nature
• Ruwata Ruwa is the tale of a look alike
• Reader's Corner
• Aquarius:New sports resort
• Confifi excels at Culinary Art
• Bonsoir in a 'green world'
• Three year old Sun FM

The Greatest Hits of Cher

By Sanath Weerasuriya

Cher has had three careers that place her indelibly in the public consciousness, and two have been in association with her then-husband, composer/producer/singer Salvatore "Sonny" Bono . She charted major hit records in the 1960s and 1970s, working in idioms ranging from early '60s girl group-style ballads to Jackie Deshannon folk-influenced pop, to adult pop in the manner of later Dusty Springfield. She also embarked on an acting career, initially in the late 1960s in association with her work as part of Sonny and Cher but later on her own, which led to a series of increasingly polished and compelling performances in Silkwood, Mask and Moonstruck for which she won the Academy Award(tm) for Best Actress.

Cherilyn Sarkasian LaPier was born in California in 1946; she was 17 when she first met Salvatore 'Sonny" Bono, a songwriter and protege of producer Phil Spector. Bono brought her to Spector, who used her as a backup singer and produced one single by her, a novelty Beatle-tribute record called "Ringo I Love You, " issued under the name Bonnie Jo Mason. 

The album, featuring her covers of contemporary hits such as "Fire and Rain, " Sold well also, and her next single, "The Way of Love, " a revival of a mid-1960s Kathy Kirby hit, solidified the image of a new, more confident and powerful Cher. And the debut of the couple's regular network variety series on CBS in January 1972 brought them back to the centre of American and international popular culture in a more mature, wittier guise, and one that concentrated much more on Cher as a personality.

Since the mid-1970s, Cher has been known more for her acting than for her music, although she has continued to record for numerous labels, including Columbia, and in 1998 scored an international chart-topping smash with the club-friendly single "Believe." 1999 saw the re-release of her rare album I Paralyze. She is, by (Jarrett's analysis, more of a stylist than a singer, and almost as much as personality as an actress, almost a modern day Helen Morgan (Showboat)etc, with better luck in life and career.

Cher's Greatest Hits collection now available from M Entertainments preferred music dealers. "Greatest Hits" is the latest release. This album is available now on Compact Disc and Cassette at M- entertainment

But still you can win five original albums of Cher by answering the simple question on the coupon on this Sunday TV Times & Entertainment magazine.

To enter this contest, all you have to do is to answer the question on the coupon and send it to the address given below.

The address is "Listen to Original Music Contest, No. 49, C/o Maharaja Entertainments (Pvt.) Ltd., 330, T.B.Jayah Mawatha, Colombo. 10. 

Tel: + 941672425-8, Fax + 941699070. E Mail: me@lgo.lk

All the entries must be originals from the Sunday TV Times and no photocopies or faxes will be entertained. 

All correct entries will be drawn by a panel of judges. The entries should reach the above address by July10, the latest. 

The decision of the judges will be final and the names of the winners will be announced in The Sunday TV Times accordingly. 

Here are the winners of contest no. 45. 

The winners of two Sony Original CDs are Chinthaka M. Warawita of Mulleriyava and Mrs. M. Cooray of Panadura. The two audio winners are S. Nithiyanthen of Wattala and Janaka Abeysundere Robert Gunawardena MW.

The 10% off gift vouchers go to Neleisha Weerasinghe of Ragama, Dilesh Perera of Badulla, Shannon Silva of Moratuwa, Chandamna Adikari of Nugegoda, Dil Wijayaweera of Gampaha and Ravinda Dissanayake of Gampaha.

The Poster winners are Previn Jayawardena of Dehiwela, Kanishka Ratnayake of Kandy, B.A.D.A. Perera of Madampe, Mrs. Charmaine A. Wambeck of Ragama and Vickum J. Mahanama of Kandy.

Damage is done

Damage took the music scene by storm when they started out at "Leopard" a couple of weeks ago.

The Band 'Damage' comprises Ashantha Perera, leader (formerly of Sohan and the X'periments on keyboards/vocals, Oshan Sampath (formerly of 'Image') on drums, Inshiran Deen (formerly of Dream Team) on bass/vocals, Shehan Perera (finalist - Showboat Karaoke championship 2000) on guitar/vocals and Prageeth Jerome Silva (formerly of Dream Team and 1st runner-up, Showboat Karaoke championship 2000) on lead vocals. 

According to leader Ashantha, the band was formed with the encouragement and support of Sohan Weerasinghe, who provided him with much needed inspiration to form 'Damage'.

The young and energetic band in spite of their youth boasts loads of talent and experience and its members having played with other well-known bands and has been on tours abroad.

At present playing to spellbound clubbers at the "Blue Leopard", Damage will no doubt provide any audience with quality music. They also plan on doing a few new versions of hits.

Though the band is currently concentrating on club music, they will be expanding their repertoire to include golden oldies, hit music from the 70's, 80's. The 90's and the latest chart toppers in order to cater to dances and other events as well.

Tom Jones show at Galadari

The 11-piece band backed The Australian Tom Jones Experience, consisting of a four-piece Brass Section, a four-piece Rhythm Section and a three-piece Backing Vocals, all choreographed and costumed. 

Jacques performed Tom Jones earlier hits, right through to he hits in the 90's and the ones he just finished recording with world famous artistes.

'Kadulu Thahanchiya': tussle over the lead role

Arundathy (Wasanthi Gunaratne), a close friend of Neil hopes she would be given the lead role and Neil who is determined to employ the girl in his production is somewhat responsible for making her hopeful about the role. But the work on the new film comes to a halt when director Kapila accidentally meets a girl who he thinks is suited for the leading character.

This is the story line of the teleplay "Kadulu Thahanchiya",which to be telecast from July 2 on Rupavahini at 7.00pm 

The story of thirteen episodes turns dramatically when Kapila comes to know that the girl, Nadhika (Swarnamali Jayalath) is an orphan whom he wants in the lead role. The problem worsens when his friend Neil opposes his idea.

Kapila faces numerous problems on his way to fulfill his idea to hire Nadhika for his film. The head of the orphanage refuses permission for the girl and instead sends a clerk. Determined to play the role Nadika runs away from the orphanage. Kapila who is not aware of her escape prepares to provide shelter for the girl who comes to him despite the strong opposition from all around him. Even Kapila gets upset when he comes to know about Nadhika's secret journey from the orphanage and her refusal to go back there.

If Kapila has to stand by his decision he is sure to face lot of problems and lose so many friends including his friend and the producer for the film, Neil. On the other hand is not prepared to give up the girl.

The rest of the cast include Swarnamali Jayalath, Manel Wanaguru, Sampath Palitha and Rebeca Nirmali.

Script is written by K. B. Herath and is edited by Manjula Malwatte. Ananda Gamage directs the music. 'Kadulu Thahanchiya' is directed by Deepthi Wijethunge.

"Bopath Sakkiya": story on social values and nature

By Susitha R. Fernando

The twenty episode teledrama produced and directed by Sathischandra Edirisinghe to the script of K. B. Herath is soon to be telecast on the small screen.

The story revolves around its Protogonist Parakrama Nugaliyadde a lawyer hailing from a respectable high-class family who is inspired by Sinhala traditions and values, but finds the spirituality he instilled in his son Tissa replaced by materialism as a result of his foreign education.

Parakrama's elder son Tissa had been for a long time receiving his education in a foreign country. Daughter Vishaka is reading for a Degree in Archaeology in a Sri Lankan University.

The narration commences with the return to the island of Tissa who went abroad as typical Sinhala child returning with his head muddled with ideas of physical wealth, new technology and commercialization.

Parakrama who had lived with the hope of making his son a patriotic person is now facing a completely westernized individual.

Tissa who arrives in the island joins a construction firm as a consultant. Tissa had met its main shareholder, the Rushkin family, while in England. Maureen, the only daughter of the Rushkin family had been studying with Tissa. As such, Tissa has the idea of marrying Maureen.

Rushkin Company engages in the business of exporting granite. They begin to break a rock close to an acrcheological site. The custodian of the historic place, a monk joins Parakrama in protesting against this destruction. When Parakrama learns that the man behind this wanton act is Tissa he becomes desperate.

However Parakrama wins the battle, causing a rift in the relationship between father and son. Meanwhile Tissa proposes to Maureen. But Maureen who had been leading a life of physical comfort from her young days has now turned towards spiritual exploration and is attracted towards oriental philosophy, Buddhism and meditation. Tissa who has now distanced himself from his parents and Maureen leaves the country to settle down in Australia. Parakrama who had entertained high hopes about his family and children suffers a spiritual breakdown.

Disgusted with the commercial life style surrounding, Maureen leaves the house and goes to a forest hermitage of Buddhist nuns and begins to lead the contended life of a nun. Parakrama's life once again is in turmoil.

Confined to the solitude of a large mansion Parakrama is shaken by the loneliness and as the story reaches its climex many individuals in the story try to change their lives by searching for a purpose to their lives.

The cast includes Sathischandra Edirisinghe, Veena Jayakody, Robin Fernando, Janaka Kubhukkage, Rohana Beddage, Kanchana Mendis, Angela Seneviratne, Roshan Pilapitiya, Pabhoda Sandhipani, Geetha Kanthi Jayakodi, G. Gunawardena, Chitra Warakagoda and several others.

"Bopath Sakkiya" comes with the sponsorship of Swadeshi Industrial Works Limited.

Ruwata Ruwa is the tale of a look alike

Ranganatha is a cinema and television actor who is caught up in dire financial straits of the present times. Having no other source of income he is solely dependent on his fiancee Dilini for material support.

Enid and Stanley are a middle-aged couple who are shareholders in a prosperous business concern owned by a tycoon named Leo Seneviratne, the younger brother of Enid.

Eyeing Leo's wealth, the couple, Enid and Stanley execute a plan to do away with him and to take possession of his business. According to the plan they replace Leo with one Sirimevan who resembles Leo. When he refuses Sirimevan becomes a prisoner of Enid and Stanley.

Meanwhile the couple come across Ranganatha, undergoing financial difficulties, who looks more like Leo and capable of impersonating him. Ranganatha agrees to the plan for mere financial gain and is enticed to act as Leo.

A short time before Leo goes missing, he marries a young woman who is now in the care of Enid and Stanley. She seeks the help of Ranganatha to get rid of them. While the couple, Enid and Stanley show the world that they are in love with each other, they are independently plotting to murder one another.

In the midst of all these Ranganatha tries to quit his role as Leo and tell the police of the plot.

Rangana Premaratne, Veena Jayakody, Tony Ranasinghe, Wasantha Vittachi and Samudra Hikkaduwa play the main roles 'Ruwata Ruwa' is scripted by veteran actor, Tony Ranasinghe.

"Ruwata Ruwa" is telecast on Rupavahini on Thursdays. Music director is Harsha Makalanda, It is produced by Rangana Premaratne and Jayasiri Fernando. The teledrama is directed by Sanjeewa Alwis.

Reader's Corner

• Stop this ad nuisance on Sirasa
• Play it correct Rupavahini
• Super Show "Rhythm Chat"

Stop this ad nuisance on Sirasa

Reggie Seneviratne of Mount Lavinia writes...

I have seen a couple of letters on 'repeat advertising' or back to back ads on Sirasa TV recently. 

I fully agree with those views and I know it is sickening to see the same advertisement repeated twice at the same time. But to my surprise I have noticed this bad practise is happening only on Sirasa TV. 

On Saturdays at 9.00pm while the popular "Soora Pappa" is on the programme sponsors Kotmale Milk , Ole Drink and Samaposha run their ads on repeat basis at least for about 14 to 16 minutes on the 30 minutes programme.

No where in the world, I have seen or heard the same advertisements repeatedly telecasting one after the other or in other words 'back to back'. Kotmale Milk and Ole runs about eight ads each on this 'Asterix' programme, which is watched by all age groups. 

I wonder who's bright idea was this. This is bad marketing, People do get sick of this product instead of getting attracted.

To make the, bad show worse, 'Soora Pappa' programmes on June 10 and17 were sort of achcharu.. 

The picture sequences were all mixed up. The one sequence shows 'Soora Pappa' is in the jungle and the next minute it shows he is fighting in Rome and followed by having a meal with Jim Pappa. What a waste of time 

I called the studio of the Sirasa TV station at that moment and the technical officer said he do not know anything about this 'Soora Pappa' but he simply running the video (the final product) , which was given to him by the officer in charge of the particular programme and there was nobody to take the responsibilities at this place. 

I simply switched to another channel and watched a movie. This is a pathetic situation. If you can't do a proper job please do not undertake to do so. Let experienced Rupavahini to do this type of dubbing work. 

They have an experienced team and there was no complaint about there earlier programmes. 

Over to Sirasa authorities

Play it correct Rupavahini

Ravindu Rasora Wickramasinghe, Sineth Kularathna and Tyronne Kularatna of Pussella, Parakaduwa write... 

It is nice to hear that another season of cricket begins in July in our country. We are eagerly waiting to see the actions of the tri-nations, Sri Lanka, India and New Zealand. 

Alas! A news release disappointed our hopes. It's said that the telecasting right of these matches was given to the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. We have no any problem regarding Rupavahini Channel 1, but no reception of Channel EYE reaches us yet. 

Many letters have been written to the relevant authorities asking them to relay Channel EYE from Sooriyakanda where Rupavahini 1 comes to us crystal clearly. 

But nobody entertained our humble request yet. We are out of reach of the receptions from Nuwara Eliya. 

Once we wrote to the Media Minister, Anura Priyadarsana Yapa regarding this. He also had forwarded the letter to the relevant quarters, but no action has been taken yet and it shows the lethargy of the administrative service of the SLRC. 

Therefore we request SLRC not to telecast the forthcoming cricket matches on Channel EYE since most of the Sri Lankans do not get the receptions of it. At least give the one day series on Rupavahini 1 shifting its programmes to Channel EYE temporarily or sell the telecasting rights to some other channel like Swarnavahini which can be seen by everybody.

Don't try to please (rather cheat) by giving highlights late at night on Rupavahini. We do hope that we also have the rights to watch these matches on the National TV. 

Super Show "Rhythm Chat" 

I join hands with many viewers of my taste to offer my appreciation to Channel EYE for its magnificient programme, "Rhythm Chat" on Sundays at 9.30. p.m. 

This programme is a mix of melodius music of the by-gone era, which the present generation of fans had missed. 

This programme keeps us really entertaining with the rendition of old hits by our present day artistes reviving our memories of the past era. 

The programme is further highlighted by the veterans of the old generation who present themselves at this show who were the original singers of these enchanting melodious songs. 

I think the majority viewership of this country would agree that this programme is superior in quality which soothes the eye and ear by its high quality music recollecting those nostalgic memories of our great singers of the past. 

Thank you Channel EYE for making the Sunday nights so cool and entertaining with your grand show and also for the artistes and the technicians for their great endeavour for making this a success. 

We rest assured of an even better musical future in the years to come. 

Aquarius:New sports resort

Aquarius Sports Resort is the one and only purpose built sports hotel in Sri Lanka. The hotel is 20 minutes from the Negombo town.

The hotel is built on a 5 acres land area with 39 bungalow type rooms. Many sports can be played in the indoor stadium of international standard including Table Tennis, Badminton, Tennis, Volleyball, Netball and Hockey. There is a mini Astro Turf football ground which has the capacity to conduct a 7-A-Side Soccer tournament or a game of Handball.

Other facilities available are swimming pool/kiddies pool, two bars restaurant and a garden cafe, laundry, IDD facilities, encashment of foreign currency they accept all major credit cards. It has also a discotheque and a beer garden with ample garden space for company outings.

Confifi excels at Culinary Art

This international calibre event attracted nearly 900 entries this year. Duminda De Silva of Riverina Hotel won 3 Gold awards, whilst the other 5 Gold medals were won by W.W.K. Kalanapriya of Eden Hotel, Priyantha and Rohan De Alwis of Riverina Hotel, Mr. Chanaka Prabath and Neomal Udayanga of Club Palm Garden.

'Culinary Art 2001' competition also provides all hotels with new product awareness and is judged by a panel of international judges, flown in from different parts of the world, making it an event of international calibre.

Confifi Group Hotels consists of Eden, Riverina, Club Palm Garden, Confifi Beach Hotel, Club Horizon & the latest addition Aquarius Sports Resort in Marawila.

Bonsoir in a 'green world'

Then cross over to Sri Lanka to take you to the enchanting Bawa's Brief in Aluthgama and to Lunuganga, the "Garden of Moods" where you'll find yourself lost in its peaceful serenity.This week's Bonsoir programme is produced by Dilini Jayamanne.

Three year old Sun FM

The Countdown began for the celebrations for Sun FM of the ABC Radio Network, on an extremely high note. Sun FM has reached this height in the sphere of contemporary music, reaching a discerning urban and suburban audience on 99.9 and 95.3 FM islandwide. On the cards for its 3rd Birthday celebrations, SUN FM has planned a sizzling birthday bash for its esteemed listeners and fans.

Much of SUN FM's success is due to its commitment to excellence in airing the best "radio-listener fare". Fittingly, SUN FM has earned the laurel as "hottest station on air".

It is the DJs who fuel the heat on SUN FM with their individualistic personalities for 24 hours around the clock. Starting with 'Breakfast show' by Jason Bond,'Office Blocks' by TJ, Kekilo's Middle of The Road, The Sun Drive by Priscilla followed by Lation Music, Late Night and The Underground by The Don.

'The Groove Train' by RJ, Club-Hopping and Weekend Eve by The Saint, Early Shift fron 12 midnight to 6.00am are the other attractions of the SUN FM.

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