TV Times - Srinath returns to play a villain

Talented actor Srinath Maddumage now living in Australia made a short visit to act a villain's role in a local children's film. Srinath was in the country from April 19 to May 25 playing a role in Udayakantha Warnasuriya's 'Rankevita' a children's movie.

"I am glad that I was invited to play the role of 'Wilba' a villain who is not so dangerous as projected. The film is somewhat a 'Home Alone' genre movie which depicts heroic acts of some children," Srinath said with a smile on his face.

Asked about his being away from the country "It is true that I missed my country but in a way I am happy that I am doing something creative here," said Srinath while visiting the TV Times before his return to Australia where he has been for last one and half years. "Though away from Sri Lanka, I have not forgotten my first love. I am preparing to direct a teledrama- an Australia-Sri Lanka joint production. While Sangeetha Weeraratne and Janaka Kumbukge play the lead roles, Roshan Pilapitiya will handle the local production.

The production about the Sri Lankan migrants is scheduled to be filmed in Australia in the next summer. Script of this drama is by Jagath Edirisinghe.
Describing his work in Australia Srinath Maddumage who is "Attached to 'Hume library' in Melbourne says, I'm a story teller for Sri Lankan children. There are over 100 children from the age 3 to 15 who attend these story telling sessions,".

"I feel I will be able to serve the artistes in our country better by being in Australia. There are enormous possibilities to learn the arts. In fact I'm planning to join the Australian theatre. This may create a precedent for many Sri Lankans," Srinath stated.

"Joining another pioneer in the field of communications, Jagath J. Edirisinghe I also started a monthly newspaper with 40 pages named 'Sannasa'" said Srinath. "The paper is distributed free and there is a very good response from the Sri Lankan readers," Srinath said.

Asked about the progress he sees in the Sri Lankan art circle since his absence Srinath said that the country has gone back to the worst. "I am targeting the teledrama industry when I speak thus. Teledrama has reached substandard and quality-wise it is contaminated and rotten. If this state continues there will be a day where people will give up watching teledramas and then we will know the same repercussion that country's film industry faced".
"I just can't imagine who selects and who is standardizing these teledramas?" Srinath questioned.

Srinath has migrated with his family to Australia. His wife Sriyani Jayawickrema is studying for her PhD in Water Management.