The Importance of Being Ernest
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Fr. Ernest Poruthota with Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera
Fr. Poruthota played a major role in promoting cinema among young artistes
Farewell Fr. Poruthota
Rev. Fr. Ernest Poruthota, the last in the lineage of Christian religious leaders like Rev. Fr. Jacome Gonsalves, Rev. Fr. Marcelline Jayakody, Bishop Edmond Peiris who revived Christianity in Sri Lanka and lead the much needed inculturation blending with Sri Lankan tradition and culture, passed away on June 15. He was 88.
While his contribution to the Catholic church, Sinhala language and literature is immense, the role he played in the formation of young filmmakers and writers was enormous.
Fr. Poruthota, as we fondly called him guided a large number of young aspiring filmmakers in early 1970s and 80s giving them an exposure to the world cinema and thereby teaching them how to create our own cinema.
A great lover of cinema even at an early age of his priestly life in the seminary, Fr. Poruthota authored a book titled “Chitrapata Gena” (About Cinema) in 1965. He was also a founder member of the Film Critics and Journalists Association (FOAC), which was formed in 1968.
Hailing from the western coastal village of Marawila, Fr. Poruthota entered the priestly mission in February 1957 and he was appointed as an assistant parish priest at St. Lucia’s Cathedral in Kotahena. Thereafter he served as parish priest in Dehiyagatha (Ja-Ela), Moratuwa, Pamunugama, Kelaniya, Dehiwala, Kalamulla, Kotte, Wattala and finally at St. Anthony’s Church in Kirimetiyagara at Kadawatha.
Starting a journalistic career at the National Seminary Ampitiya he contributed to “the Gnanartha Pradeepaya”, “the Catholic Messenger” and other national newspapers. He was also a social activist and he had a broad vision on the society and the labour movement.
He penned ‘Wurthiya Samithi Viplavaya’ (Revolution in the Trade Unionism) as early as 1958. Later he was also the chaplain of the Young Christian Workers Movement.
In 1964 he authored a book “Gihiya” (Layman) on the dignity, vocation and apostolate of the Lay Catholic. In 1961 he wrote another book titled “Kithunu Peraliya” (Changes in the Catholic Church) describing how the 16 Doctrines of 2nd Vatican Council influenced the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka.
Fr. Poruthota as the founder director of OCIC, the Sri Lanka branch of the International Catholic Organization for Cinema now known as SIGNIS, played a major role in Sri Lankan cinema to introduce many filmmakers to the industry. They are being recognized and rewarded for their talents through SIGNIS Salutation held every year. He formed OCIC in 1970 and in addition to OCIC awards he also started the cinema and television diploma course to educate and encourage young film artistes. Holding the post of director of the Catholic Organization for Cinema and Audiovisuals from 1972 to 1982 Fr. Poruthota contributed immensely to promote cinema specially among the younger generation. Behind many filmmakers and film artistes in today’s Sri Lankan cinema was Fr. Earnest Poruthota and the OCIC which was under him.
In 2004 he compiled the book ‘Lanka Rupavahini 25 Wasara’ or ‘25 years of Lanka television’ covering the silver jubilee of Sri Lanka’s television history which started in 1979.
Fr. Poruthota who is a writer, cinema critic and lover of cinema has always stood against censorship on cinema and had been outspoken whenever it was necessary. He expressed his strong objections whenever and wherever it was necessary to speak for justice and defend the truth. When there was a dispute over the film ‘Kristhu Charithaya’ directed by Sunil Ariyaratne and produced by Aleric Lionel Fernando, Fr. Poruthota stood by the film.
After 55 long years of service, Fr. Poruthota retired from the parish work but, continued to serve cinema and art with his writing. An outstanding personality and a national figure in Sri Lanka due to his immense contribution towards Catholic Literature and the Sri Lanka Media, among the Catholics he is admired as a priest with progressive and radical ideas.
Most outstanding quality of Fr. Poruthota was he could move with anyone. He trusted the younger generation and encouraged them to take challenges and think differently. He had an encouraging word and a supportive smile whenever someone came with a problem or obstacle.
Thank you Fr. Ernest Poruthota for the strength you gave and vision you inculcated specially to love our culture, tradition, language and the country. Farewell until we meet again.
(Susitha Fernando)