• Eden on Fire
• Bonsoir goes green
• Cast Away alone
• Rohitha's maiden book
• Pathiraja relives youth problems
• Cricket commentary in Tamil
• Winner takes it all
• 'My Global Adventure'

Eden on Fire

The five-piece band has a wide repertoire of music from the 70's, 80's, & the 90's as well as new generation jazz music. The band will perform from 9.00 p.m. onwards at the "Captain's Deck", the nautically themed lounge bar of the hotel.

There will be a special buffet dinner in the Garden of Eden and let Adam and Eve be your host. As the discotheque opens late in the evening Eden goes on fire with no limitations or entrance fees. But the entrance will be for diners only.

Eden Hotel, the Flagship hotel of the Confifi Group, is the only five star beach resort in the Beruwala area with 158 tastefully furnished air-conditioned rooms, including 4 theme suites, 2 penthouses and 23 deluxe rooms with butler service provided throughout the day.

Bonsoir goes green

We start with a study of the 16th century gardens and then move on to Alsace to take a look at its beautiful flowery villages followed by a visit to a "jardin á la francaise" and of course the gorgeous Versailles gardens in France. 

Then cross over to Sri Lanka to take you to the enchanting Bawa's Brief in Aluthgama and to Lunuganga, the "Garden of Moods" where you'll find yourself lost in its peaceful serenity.

This programme is produced by Dilini Jayamanne.

On Monday at 8.00 p.m. and Wednesday at 6.00 p.m. on ITN

Cast Away alone

By Sanath Weerasuriya 

Tom Hanks stars as Chuck Noland a FedEx system engineer who is paged on X/mas eve to go to a far destination for redelivery and return, but his life turns upside down when he meets with a plane crash and becomes isolated on a remote island for 4 long years. It is the fascinating story of one man's fight for survival, not a case of ' How to' but 'would I' ' could I' and "I will.

Cast-Away', recreation of Robinson Crusoe Story, set on exotic locations in a pacific island. It is directed by Oscar winning director Robert Zemecks.

Like many films 'Cast-Away' too has given a romantic touch to the good old Robinson Crusoe tale. This was started with Titanic and the latest 'Pearl Harbour' film too has given a modern touch with the romance, which wraps around the fact.

Hanks stars as Chuck Noland, a FedEx systems engineer whose personal and professional life are ruled by the clock. His fast-paced career takes him, often at a moment's notice, to far-flung locales - and away from his girlfriend Kelly, played by Helen Hunt.

Chuck's manic existence abruptly ends when, after a plane crash, he becomes isolated on a remote island cast away into the most desolate environment imaginable. Stripped of the conveniences of everyday life, he first must meet the basic needs of survival, including water, food and shelter. Chuck, the consummate problem solver, eventually figures out how to sustain himself physically. But then what? Chuck begins his true personal journey.

After four years, fate gives Chuck a chance to fight his way back to civilization, only to find an unexpected emotional challenge greater than all the earlier physical ones. His ability to persevere and to hope are a product of his life-changing experience. 

Supporting cast members include Nick Searcy ("Tigerland," TV's "7 Days"), Jennifer Lewis, Geoffrey Blake, Peter Von Berg, Chris Noth ("Sex and the City" ) and country singer Lari White.

Hanks, who came up with the original idea for CAST-AWAY, began developing the film with screenwriter William Broyles, Jr. about six years ago, when the two men were working together on " Apollo 13". 

In sharp contrast to the common practice of hiring multiple writers, Broyles was the only writer employed on CAST-AWAY. Through its many drafts, his script became a model for the often unappreciated art of true screen dramatization, where events and emotions are brought to life with minimal dialogue.

Rohitha's maiden book

'Nopenena Balavegawala Rahas" is a publication of Saraswathie Publishers and the first of Sajith Rohitha Liyanage in this field. of writing.

Pathiraja relives youth problems

By Susitha R. Fernando 

Entering the film scene after a long absence of over seventeen years "Pathi", as he is popularly known was instrumental in introducing a trend identified as alternative which discussed themes close to human like politics, youth unrest and employment. 

Now he is once again back with a film the theme of which he projected over twenty five years ago in 'Ahas Gawwa'. It portrayed the everlasting problems the solution for which have not been found even after so many years. 

His career began the a script writer for "Hanthane Kathawa" and graduated on to the celluloid world as a filmmaker directing the award winning 'Sathuro' (Enemies) in 1970. The classic features in his journey included Ahas Gauwa (1974), Eye Dan Loku Lamayek (Coming of Age in 1977), Bambaru Avith (The Wasps are Here in 1978), Ponmani (Younger Sisiter in 1978), Para Dige (Along the Road in 1980) and Soldadu Unnahe (Mr. Soldier in 1981)

The time Pathi was away from the silver screen he honed his talents directing for the small screen and grabbed awards at several festivals and won the hearts of his audience doing some outstanding teledramas like 'Ella Langa Walawwa', 'Nadunana Puththu' and 'Kadulla'. 

Though no date for its release has been fixed the film has been selected for screening on the Fifth circuit (Cinema Entertainment Ltd.). 

Portraying the fantasies of present day youth, 'Mathu Yam Dawasa' depicts the ways and methods this generation has chosen to give form and substance to their dreams in the available political milieu which tragically ends in failure. 

The film centres around two marginal underworld characters, Dhammika and Lionel who seek adventure, romance, excitement and power in a society that is quickly rollercoasting towards disaster and tragedy. In this unfolding dreams of political violence and social tragedy, Italy is the dreamland the couple focuses on speaking excitedly about entering the land of their dreams as illegal immigrants and making the maximum of the hoped for golden opportunities . 

The film is also evocative of the political violence that has engulfed Sri Lankan society from the mid 80's onwards. 

To achieve their goal they become responsible for several killings which bring them no profit but disaster and danger to their lives and future. Trained to be criminals they use the very method to

get out of that world and becomes a prey of the powerful hand which misleads them.

The main roles of two youth are played by award winning young actors on the stage Saumya Liyanage and Wasantha Moragoda. Others include Radha de Mel, Rukshana Miskin, D. B. Gangodatenne and Jayani Senanayake. 

Speaking on his latest work Pathiraja told the TV Times this film was made with a modern concept "cinema without walls" that is moving away from the traditional filmmaking style.

Cricket commentary in Tamil

This first ball by ball commentary programme in Tamil was introduced and conducted by Rohana Deva Perera, the Controller, Sports Service of the SLBC. Especially, the commentary on final days match between India and Sri Lanka on Sunday, August 5 was very interesting to all, done by Eric Gauder (English) and A. R. Nanthi Rahjan (Tamil), the most talented comperes for their speedy and informative style in compering.

Winner takes it all

By Sanath Weerasuriya

Rosemary! You could collect your Confifi Vacation Voucher from the Confifi head office at no.38 St Michael's Road, Colombo -3. You will be entitled for one night full-board stay at Hotel Club Palm Garden from any Saturday dinner to Sunday lunch. Do not forget to take your beloved partner along with you as your voucher entitles for two.

Confifi Vacation Voucher Competition will enable TV Times readers to win eight Confifi Vacation Vouchers (a gift for any occasion), which will enable the winners to enjoy full-board weekend package for two at all six hotels of the group. You could be the winner in coming weeks and keep on sending the entries as you have six more weeks to go.

To enter this competetion all you have to do is to answer three simple questions given below in the coupon and post it to the address given below. 

The address is Vacation Voucher Competition No. 4, C/o TV Times , Sunday Times, No.8, Hunupitiya Cross Road, Colombo-2. The winners of the competition No:3 will be announced next week. Senders are requested to send entries on post card only. 

All the entries must be originals from the Sunday TV Times and no photocopies or faxes will be entertained. The entries for No.4 should reach the above address by October 1 , the latest. The decision of the judges will be final and the names of the winners will be announced in The Sunday TV Times accordingly.

Today's brief description will be no Confifi's flag ship hotel Eden, which is the only five star hotel in Beruwala. Eden consists of a large fresh water swimming pool pleasing to the eye as you enter the hotel, an outdoor Jacuzzi, coffee shop, main restaurant - Garden of Eden and the fine dining restaurant - Captains Deck serves A'La Carte, vegetarian and snack menus and wines from the best wine producing regions of the world. The lounge bar - Captains Deck and the Pool Bar - Splash is well stocked with alcoholic and non - alcoholic beverages. The room service is on call 24 hours. The Chameleon discotheque provides music for the young and the young at heart. The other added features are modern gymnasium, squash court, billiards, Games room, childrens play area, hair dressing salon.

'My Global Adventure'

The programme was named 'My Global Adventure' on Minds Eye Pictures of Canada. The Canadian crew members were in Dambana as a part of their adventure covering of 26 countries in eight months.

The 'Canadian Team' was in Sri Lanka despite bad publicity and travel adv-isories. Their arrival would create a big boost to Sri Lanka's tourism and will provide excellent opport-unities to showcase Sri Lanka as a fantastic destination on Nature and Culture.

Jetwing Eco Holidays, acted as the official travel agent for the tour, which took place, from August 27 to September 4, Eco Team (Pvt) Ltd., a nature related activity company, handled the most interesting part of the tour - living with the "Veddha" community in Dambana, taking elaborate care so as to give them the best possible comforts.

The team members arrived in Dambana on September 29 to a fully equipped camp set up at the bund of "Delikedali Wewa" - a beautiful lake. 

Canadian-Asia (name of the main cha-racter) with her team arrived at the campsite around eve-ning. After a meeting with officials of the Uva Provincial Council the crew departed to meet the Veddha Chief Uruwarige Wanniyaleththo.

Asia had an interesting chat with the Chief with the assistance of two interpreters of Eco team. From "Vedi" Language to Sinhala and from Sinhala to English. After the meeting, Kiri Koraha dance was performed to evoke blessings from their dead ancestors. It was an exciting experience for the Canadian crew.

Asia interviewed Veddha Chief in the Veddha Village on the following day, where the picture shooting was done on the locations in the village.

The TV crew covered the movements of Asia as a part of their programme, which included hunting in the jungle, moving with animals etc.

The crew was served mostly with Lankan dishes throughout their stay in the jungle and sometimes with traditional Veddha specialties.

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