Felicitating Somaweera Senanayake

The name Somaweera Senanayake is synonymous with many a classical creation, be it novels, television documentaries, or script writing for both films and teledramas. He is the creative force behind unforgettable teledramas such as 'Kande Gedara', 'Doo Daruwo' and 'Sitha Nivana Katha', and films such as 'Mihidum Sihina', 'Aradhana' and most recently 'Ammawarune'.

He is about to celebrate 40 years of such creative service to Sri Lankan society, and it is a time for all those who have felt the sensitivity and the impact of his work to savour the memories and express their gratitude.

From (L-R) Ranjith G. Rubasinghe, Deputy General Manager/Head of Directory Business Operations, Rainbow Pages, Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT); Douglas Siriwardana, Chief Secretary, Tele Makers Guild; Nalan Mendis, Treasurer, Tele Makers Guild; P. A. Kiriwandeniya, Chairman, People's Bank; Somaweera Senanayake and Dayarathna Ratagedara, Films and Tele Dramas/Documentaries Director, SLRC at the news conference

In appreciation of Mr. Senanayake's contribution to the fields of literature, media and the performing arts, a felicitation ceremony titled 'Somaweera Senanayake Prathibha Prabha' has been organized by the Tele Makers Guild (TELEMG). This was announced at a media conference held recently at Hotel Sapphire. The ceremony, sponsored by the People's Bank, will be held on January 23, at the B.M.I.C.H. under the patronage of Speaker W. J. M. Lokubandara.

The keynote address will be made by Senior Professor Sunil Ariyaratne, while Professor Rev. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thero, Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayawardenapura and Dr. P. A. Kiriwandeniya, Chairman, People's Bank will also address the gathering.

Addressing the media conference, Dr. Kiriwandeniya, said that as a bank that constantly appreciates and encourages artists, the People's Bank welcomes the opportunity to felicitate an artist of Mr. Senanayake's calibre.

Dr. Kiriwandeniya spoke about Mr. Senanayake as a man who understands the various nuances of rural life, as evidenced by his creative work. The former also referred to 'Paramitha', a teledrama series based on the 'Pansiya Panas Jathakaya', and sponsored by the People's Bank, which has been adapted to television by Mr. Senanayake himself.

The first invitations were handed over to Mr. Senanayake and Dr. Kiriwandeniya, by Douglas Siriwardana, Chief Secretary, Tele Makers Guild on this occasion.