Signis salutation for cinema and small screen

Internationally acclaimed Prasanna Vithanage's film 'Ira Mediyama' (August Sun) and Lalith Ratnayake's teledrama 'Theth Saha Viyali' were adjudged the Best Film and the Best teledrama respectively at SIGNIS Salutation- 2006 held at the BMICH last week.
Felicitating the talents in cinema and small screen, the SIGNIS Salutation was organized by SIGNIS Sri Lanka affiliated to the Catholic National Commission for Social Communication.

Jayantha Chandrasiri received his award from Ms. Peries	Malani Fonseka gives Special SIGNIS Salutation to Ms. Irangani Serasinghe

Veteran filmmaker Mrs. Sumithra Peries was this year's chief guest at the glittering night held with the participation of stars and technicians.

In the cinema segment, Prasanna Vithanage's film won the major awards including Best Director, Best Actor (Peter Almeida), Gold Best Actress: Nimmi Harasgama, Creative make up (Ebert Wijesinghe), M. D. Mahindapala (Ira Mediyama), Creative Art Direction Kanchana and Best Creative Screenplay for Priyath Liyanage.

Two Indian talents who joined Prasanna for the making of 'IraMediyama' Srikar Prasad for Creative Editing and Lakshman Narayanan for Creative Sound mixing were awarded.

Among other major awards Jayantha Chandrasiri (Guerilla Marketing) - Silver for the Best Director, Jackson Anthony - Guerilla Marketing (Silver) for the Best Actor, Creative Cinematography for Channa Deshapriya (Sulanga Enu Pinisa) Best Creative Editing for Ravindra Guruge (Guerilla Marketing), Creative Music direction for Premasiri Khemadasa (Guerilla Marketing) and Creative singing went to Clifford Richard (Guerilla Marketing) Special Merit awards were given to Mahendra Perera (Asani Warsha). Chandani Seneviratne (Sulanga), Dulika Marapana (Samanala Thatu). Namal Jayasinghe (Ira Mediyama), Dasun Madusanka (Sudu Kalu Saha Alu). A. A. Mansoor (Ira Mediyama), Mohamed Zafarulla (Ira Mediyama) and Pramudika Sapurni Peiris (Sulanga Enu Pinisa).

Prasanna Vithanage receives Best Director from Ms. Sumithra Peries

In the miniscreen Lalith Ratnayake's 'Theth Saha Viyali' bagged a number of major SIGNIS awards. Among them were Best Acress (Silver) Chandani Seneviratne, Best tele drama actor (Suminda Sirisena), Creative scriptwriter (Lalith Rathnayake), Creative Music Director (Premasiri Khemadasa) and Creative Editing (Priyantha Guruge).

The other awards went to Malani Fonseka as the Best tele drama actress (Sisila Ima), Best Actor (Silver) Jayalal Rohana (Isuru Yogaya), Creative singer: Amarasiri Peiris (Wara Peraliya), Creative Lyricist: Nilar N. Cassim (Wara Peraliya). Creative camera/lighting: Chandana Jayasinghe (Maya Ranga), Creative Make up: Indika Rukshan (Sisila Ima) and Creative art director-K.A. Milton Perera (Sisila Ima). In addition veteran actress Iranganie Serasinghe was honoured with the special SIGNIS salutation award for her contribution to the film and television and Ravindra Randeniya received the special SIGNIS lifetime homage international award. Veteran TV artiste Athula Ransirilal also received the SIGNIS international award for his contribution through television. Journalist A.D. Ranjith Kumara won the Cyril B. Perera memorial award for his contribution to local arts as a journalist.