Sathpathini Tragedy of the feeble
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The final stages of British colonial rule in Sri Lanka were times of a poor administrative system leading to a lawlessness and many injustices. The administrative system that prevailed in the Kandyan kingdom where the duties of the king to his subject were described had fallen. Instead of a proper administrative system the slaves of colonial rulers became a privileged lot in their respective areas. Government agents, Rate Mahaththayas held the top positions in the regions while Arachchis or village headmen ruled in the lower levels according to their whims and fancies.
Arachchi was the most powerful figure in the villages specially in the rural areas which were cutout from main cities and most of Arachchis misused their power and acted arbitrarily against their subjects. While those who were closer to Arachchis enjoyed exceptional privileges, most of the subjects were exploited. And those who went against this system were severely punished or got rid of. This is the backdrop for ‘Sathpathini’ directed by Sarath Dharmasena and is now being telecast at 8.30 pm on every weekday on National Rupavahini channel.
Directed and screenplay written by Sarath Dharmasena, the teledrama is played by Bimal Jayakody, Menaka Peiris, Lucian Bulathsinghala, Chamila Peiris, Sumith Ratnayake, Pabasara Kariyawasam, Janak Premalal, Wasantha Ranwala, Pubudu Gamage, Prof. Lakshman Fernando, Mahesh Uyanwatte, Anton Coorey, Kusum Maldeniya, Janaka Jayakody and Chula Mendis.
The teleplay revolves around Punchirala (Richard Abeywardena) who lives in a small house in the forest with his wife Kiri Ethana (Madini Malwatte) and her sister Ran Menika (Menaka Peiris). They collect medicinal plants and sell to Singappu (Pubudu Gamage), who comes all the way from Negombo to buy them. Punchirala tries to get his sister-in-law Ranmenika married to Singappu.
It is at this stage that Arachchi (Gihan Fernando) and his aide come to arrest a criminal (Bimal Jayakody) who is under an arrest warrant. In the midst of the forest Arachchi and his aide come under attack by the criminal and they get lost in the forest. Finally they manage to reach Punchirala’s house. When Arachchi saw beautiful Ranmenika, he decided to take her somehow. This leads to the arrest of Punchirala who is implicated on a false charge. This leads to many misfortunes to their family.
Produced by Ananda Jayalath, lighting and camera are by Chandana Nuwan Manchanayake and Chandana Dharmapriya and music is directed by Danister Perera.