Arthur unspools movie memories

Veteran journalist Arthur U Amarasena will launch the first volume of 'Sinhalaye Maha Cinema Wansahaya' - a detailed account of the Sinhala cinema industry and a book on local film journalism at a ceremony which will be held in Colombo on March 3. The event will be held at the J.R. Jayewardene Centre in Colombo at 4 pm with the participation of top film world personalities and other distinguished guests.

The veteran journalist who started film journalism way back in the late fifties, later became a popular figure after becoming the editor of the 'Wisithura' film weekly of the then Dawasa Group. His 350-page book on films has been divided into three parts - the first covering the country's film history from 1923 upto Rekhawa in 1956, the second segment featuring detailed accounts of more than 300 film directors and their creations while the third segment comprises rare pictures of cinema activities from 1947.

"My first volume captures the history of all films upto Rekhawa in 1956 and the interesting stories behind every film up to that point. The stories and details are spiced with rare pictures too," Mr. Amarasena told TV Times. "The book is published by Vajira Liyanage of Silver Screen Printers, Borella. This book will be reasonably priced at Rs. 600 and the hardcover publication at Rs. 750.

The first copy will be handed. over to President Mahinda Rajapaksa. In fact he was impressed when we spoke to him about this book and showed him the book cover which was ready by then, " he said adding that he would also be launching another book on film journalism and contributions made by film journalists in Sri Lanka.

"This book also comprises about 240 pages. I am planning to hold a ceremony soon to launch these two publications. The books on film journalism focuses on all film journals, magazines and newspaper segments that focus on films. I have also included descriptions of journalists who compiled these magazines and sections," he said.

The services of film journalists have not been appreciated in a proper manner from the inception.

Special awards will be presented to deserving film journalists who have rendered yeoman service to the local film industry over the decades. Among those who will receive special awards at the ceremony are:

Rev. Fr. Ernest Porutota, Amarnath Jayathilaka, A.D.Ranjith Kumara, Ashley Rathnawibushana, Merril Perera, Thilakratne Kuruwita Bandara, W .K.D. Nawaratne, Edwin Ariyadasa, Bandula Padmakumara, Arthur U. Amarasena, Prem Dissanayake, Sanath Weerasuriya, Rodney Widanapathirana, Gamini Sumanasekara, Sunil Mihindukula, Aruna Gunaratne, Narada Nissanka, Gamini Samarasinghe, E.M.G. Edirisinghe, Gunasiri Silva, Rohana Wettasinghe, Siri Kahawala, Gamini Jayalath, Gamini Weragama, Ajith Galappaththy, Sam Perera, Rupasena Silva, K.Sivakumaran, Nuwan Nayanajith Kumara, Percy Jayamanne, Wilbert Jayaratne, Ernest Waduge, Henry Priyashantha Mendis, Samantha Yahampath and Ramesh Uvais.