People's award for 'Saradiel'

‘Utuvan Kande Saradiel’ the epic teledrama series sponsored by Swadeshi Industrial Works has won the 'People's Tele Drama of the Year' award at the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing - Nielsen ' Peoples Awards' recently. The 30 episode epic was telecast over ITN from end September 2006 to mid April 2007.

'Utuvan Kande Saradiel' was a portrayal of the legendary Sinhala folk hero Saradiel, the man dubbed a local Robin Hood by his antagonists during the rule of the British administrators of 19th century Ceylon.

This controversial character's daring campaign of robbing the rich to help the poor made him a thorn in the side of the British, a brigand to the wealthy, a protector to the downtrodden and the poverty stricken and a crusader against injustice to many and a freedom fighter to some.

The director of the popular tele-series, Sudath Rohana has won many other accolades for his directorial skills. According to Mr. Rohana 'the accurate depiction of historical events in this teleseries was a great challenge. Sudath Rohana has produced and directed many teledramas and is best known for Avindu Andura, Katu Imbula, Ambu Daruwo and Wikumsiha Katandara taken from Mr. Martin Wickramasinghe's short stories. 'Utuvan Kande Saradiel' was based on a screen play by Somaweera Senanayake, while cinematography was handled by K.A. Dharmasena. Among the locations used for the teledrama were Utuvan Kanda and its environs, the Bogambara Prisons, Colombo and Kaltota in Balangoda. The Swadeshi Industrial Works Ltd., is the pioneer and market leader in herbal soap manufacture in the country. Incorpoated in 1941, Swadeshi manufactures and markets many leading brands including Khomba, Khomba Baby, Rani Sandalwood, Rani White Sandal, Apsara Venivel, Sportsman Plus, Perlwite, Lady perfume Range.

Besides 'Utuwankande Saradiel' Swadeshi has also sponsored 'Bopath Sakkiya' a teledrama by Sathischandra Edirisinghe, 'Ambu Daruwo' by Sudath Rohana and the popular 'Diyaketa Pahana' by Asoka Handagama. Swadeshi Industrial Works, Sri Lankas' leading herbal personal care products company, sponsored its production and telecast.

Commenting on the award won by the teledrama, the Chairperson of Swadeshi, Mrs. Amari Wijewardena said: 'We have always been happy to sponsor teledramas that bring back to life the important historical events which are not well known among the younger generation'. 'Swadeshi is interested in sponsoring good quality teledramas that highlight ethical values and are of cultural significance to the Sri Lankan people as our rich heritage has been forgotten by many people today. That is why we were very enthusiastic in supporting this teledrama' she said.

'As a truly Sri Lankan company that has held its own against multinational players for more than six decades, we empathise with this story. We are very pleased that the Peoples Awards have bestowed this accolade on this important work, and congratulate its director' she added.