President honours Lankan Cinema

The much awaited Presidential Award Ceremony was held for the years 2005 and 2006 last Tuesday at the BMICH with President Mahinda Rajapaksa being the chief guest.

Among the main award winners were, Prasanna Vithanage's 'Ira Mediyama' (August Sun) and Sudath Devapriya's 'Udugan Yamaya' (Against the Tide) which won both Best Direction and Best Production for the two years.

Dihani Ekanayake won the Best Actress for her performance in Benette Ratnayake's 'Sulanga' (The Wind) for 2005 while Malani Fonseka for Dr. Lester James Peries' 'Ammawarune' (Eulogy for a Mother) for 2006. Jackson Anthony won the Best Actor for 'Guerilla Marketing' for 2005 and Sriyantha Mendis for 'Berunda Pakshiya' for 2006. Best Supporting actor and actress were Mahendra Perera (Asani Warsha) and Chandani Seneviratne (Sulanga) for 2005 and Gayani Gishanthika (Ammawarune) and Jayalath Manoratne (Berunda Pakshiya). Best Upcoming stars were Jagath Chamila and Gangu Roshana (Samantha) for 2005 and Anarkalee Akarsha (Anjalika) and Roshan Ranawana (Hiripoda Wessa). Jury's special awards were given to child actors Mahesh Maira Ishaq (Ira Mediyama) and Dasun Madushanka (Samanala Thatu).

Among the awards given to the technical crew were Premasiri Khemadasa for Best Musical score (Guerilla Marketing) for 2005 and Rohana Weerasinghe (Anjalika) for 2006. Ravindra Guruge won Best Editor for both 2005 (Guerilla Marketing) and 2006 (Uduganyamaya). Best Camera was awarded to M. D. Mahindapala (Ira Mediyama) for 2005 and Jayanath Gunawardena (Anjalika) for 2006. Priyath Liyanage (Ira Mediyama) won Best Scriptwriter for 2005 while Sudath Devapriya (Uduganyamaya) for 2006.

Joseph Seneviratne, Leticia Peiris and Chandran Ratnum were felicitated as pioneers who worked for the upliftment of Sri Lankan cinema industry.

Swarna Sinha Awards were given to W. D. Ameradeva, Latha Walpola, Tissa Abeysekera, Malani Fonseka and Tissa Abeysekera.
Awards were given for those who won international acclaim and director Somaratne Dissanayake (Samanala Thatu), Camera director Channa Deshapriya (Sulanga Enu Pinisa) and director Prasanna Jayakody (Sankara).