‘Rala Bindena Thena’ rules Raigam Award

Following the fourth Raigam Tele Award, the panel of judges came before the media to answer any questions on their judgments. This was the first time in Sri Lanka that such an event was organized at the end of an award ceremony.

However there were not much of questions against the decisions of the experienced panel led by Kelaniya University's Senior Lecturer Patrick Ratnayake and the members including Colombo University's senior lecturer Ajantha Hapuarachchi, veteran author Jayantha Rukmani Siriwardana, Kelaniya University's senior lecturer Chandrasiri Bogamuwa, Veteran journalist Gunasiri Silva and musician and singer, Visharada Edward Jayakody.

At the Raigam Tele Award-2007 held on May 9 with a gala ceremony at the BMICH where Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara graced the occasion as Chief Guest, young director Senesh Dissanaike Bandara's 'Rala Bindena Thena' bagged the major awards including the Best Director, Best Teledrama for its producer Ananda Abeynayake. Talented Chandani Seneviratne who played in the same teledrama was adjudged the Best Actress while Vishvajith Gunasekara won the Best Actor in the same. This was Chandani's third Raigam Best Actress award in its four-year history.

Among the other highlights Sudath Rohana's 'Saradiel' was nominated to be the Best teledrama and direction. Best director of single episode was won by Christie Shelton Fernando's 'Karattaya' one of the episodic series "Winiwida Andura" based on Sri Lankan short stories. It was produced by Ranjith Perera.

Prathibha Prabha- Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Shan Wickremesinghe of TNL for his service to the television medium in Sri Lanka. Director Dayaratne Ratagedara of Rupavahini was honoured for the special poya programme teledrama series 'Sitha Niwena Katha'. Tissa Abeysekara was adjudged the Best Supporting Actor for his role in 'Saradiel' and Samanali Fonseka won the Best Supporting Actress (Rala Bindena Thena).

Best Singer (male) was Jagath Wickramasinghe while Samitha Mudunkotuwa won the Best Singer (female) and Best Music Director was Rohana Weerasinghe ( Rala Bindena Thena). Best Camera and Lighting was won by K. A. Dharmasena for 'Saradiel', Best Make-up by Sathira Dinesh Kumara and J. Suranimala and Best Art Direction for Hemasiri Fernando for the same drama.

Special Jury Awards were given for outstanding acting talent to Sujani Menaka - (Sansare Piya Satahan), outstanding direction for Lakshman Wijesekara (Tikiri Saha Ungi) and outstanding Camera and Lighting for Chinthaka Somakeerthi (Rasthiyadu Karaya). Chandana Wickramasinghe and his team added colour to the event while Vijaya Nandasiri, Rodney Warnakula, Giriraj Kaushalya, Sohan Weerasinghe, Anton Jude, Prasanga Tissera, Sahan Ranawala and the Lionel Ranwala Foundation team, Surani de Mel and others entertained the audience in between the presentations.

The credit should go to Kingdom of Raigam organizing committee Dr. Ravi Liyanage, Kishan Rohana Theodore, Ganaka Amarasinghe, Jagath Dharmajeewa and Prashantha Nanayakkara also including Manjula Herath, Poorna Nanayakkarawasam, Daya Wanigatunga, Eranga Wimalasuriya, Dhanushka Ramanayake, Prabath Dewapriya, Shashika Fernandez and other members of the Raigam family for their genuine effort to promote the teledrama industry.

A special segment of Raigam Tele Award will be telecast at 10 pm on May 18 on ITN, 10 pm on May 20 on TNL and 10 pm on May 21 on MAX.