‘Athuru Para', the latest teledrama based on a picture story by veteran script writer, Daya Rajapaksa is being telecast at 8.30 pm every Wednesday starting from August 13 on Rupavahini. Based on a story drawn for 'Tharunaya' newspaper on the same title, Daya Rajapaksa wrote the script and screenplay to the direction of Piyal Yatawara.

Roger and Anula Bulathsinghala in a scene from the teledrama

Starting with ‘Kammiththa’, a miniplay based on Rajapaksa's comic story, this is the second direction of Piyal. The teledrama revolves around a story of a young man who joins the army and ends up being a wounded soldier. Lesley is a young man working in a bus belonging to Dasa Mudalali, but due to his political stance he loses his job.

Alanson, Lesley's father is retired and he voluntarily repairs the road to the village, 'Athurupara'. His mother, Ginthuhamy supports the family by working as a helper for a mason.

Sandeepani is Lesley's girl friend but her uncle Joy Perera is against the affair. One day on the request of a friend, an army officer, Lesley joins the army. While Lesley is in the army, Joy makes arrangements to find a boy for Sandeepani.

It was at this stage Lesley gets caught to a landmine and loses one of his legs. Having heard this, Alanson, a heart patient dies and the family which lives in an unauthorized house is asked to vacate it. Lesley manages to get a house given by the army and while Lesley prepares for the housewarming, Sandeepani is forced to prepare for her wedding to a man found by her uncle.

"The story is a tribute to those who have become disabled due to the war. Though I was not intending ten years ago when I was writing the story for Tharunaya now I feel that it is fitting to make it a tribute to the forces," Daya Rajapaksa said speaking about his script.

'Athurupara' cast include Roger Seneviratne, Himali Siriwardena, Hemasiri Liyanage, Anula Bulathsinghala, G. R. Perera, Chitra Warakagoda, Ananda Wickremage, Ferry Roshini and Sarath Chandrasiri.

In the technical department, Manjula Roshan is the cameraman, music by Upul Perera, editor Thushara Jayasuriya, art director K. A. Milton Perera and for 2 R Creations Vineetha Chandrasekara and Piyal Yatawara produced 'Athuru Para'.

Daya: Picture story writer to scriptwriter

Daya Rajapaksa

Award winning script writer Daya Rajapaksa has penned scripts for over 40 teledramas and 12 films.

Starting with 'Wanarayo' in 1971, Rajapaksa scripted four films made by late actor Gamini Fonseka and they include 'Hulawali', 'Thawalama', 'Bandura Mal' and 'Sakvithi Suwaya' and Malani Fonseka's 'Nirupamala' and 'Sasara Chethana'.

Having joined Wijaya Newspapers limited in 1979, Rajapaksa is one of the journalists, who has been there from the beginning of the company and at present he works for ‘Irida Lankadeepa’ as a senior journalist and picture story writer.

Rajapaksa has won a number of awards including OCIC and number of felicitations from schools, universities and provincial journalists associations.

In1997, the Management Faculty of University of Colombo felicitated him for his service to journalism and the art of Comic Writing.