The maiden cinematic creation of Dr. Ranil Samarasinha, 'One Blood', a story about the meaninglessness of war has completed its production and scheduled to be released on EAP circuit end of the year. Dr. Samarasinha, qualified engineer who graduated in England has taken up filmmaking with the experiences he has recollected during 1983 riots while he was in abroad and the certain realities he experienced once he returned to Sri Lanka.

"When the 1983 riots was taking place I was in England and what we saw on television was brutal and we were sad about what happened to Tamil people. The pictures we saw over the foreign media were burning of Tamil people, killing them and extorting their valuables," Dr. Samarasinha explained.

"And abroad we had a picture that the Tamils and the Sinhalese have turned arch rivals following this pathetic incident. But the reality I experienced after returning to Sri Lanka was quiet different and the two ethnic groups were living in harmony," he said.

"The effect of this incident haunted my memory and I wanted to do a film," he added. The story of 'One Blood' revolves around the two brothers, twins who are separated at a very young age and brought up in two different backgrounds. After the unexpected death of their father, Ravi and Ranil separated and Ravi is brought up under a Tamil parent while Ranil under Sinhalese. One turns a leader of a Tamil armed group while the other joins the Army and the movie reaches a tragic end.

The sublime message of the story is that terrorists are fighting a meaningless war for a separate homeland, despite the two ethnic groups living in brotherhood and harmony in one country, the director says.

The film highlights some of the well-known impact and destruction of this war- like killings of Buddhist monks in Aranthalawa, killing of Muslims, assassinations of President R. Premadasa and Foreign Minister Lakshsman Kadirgamer.

"The film is not an exaggeration of the conflict or a boost for war. We condemn what happened in 1983 and it gave a recognition to Prabhakaran and his terrorist activities," Dr. Samarasinha said. While directing and producing Dr. Samarasinha also plays a key double acting role as an Army Commando and a terrorist Area Leader.

Kanchana Mendis posing for a picture at the LTTE set.

And the younger age of twin brothers are played by Ajith Weerasinghe and Kanchana Mendis plays a major role as the fiancée of one brother. Lucky Dias, Roshan Pilapitiya, Rex Koddippili, Hayacinth Wijerathne, Kusum Renu, Sarath Dikkumbura, Lakshika Fonseka, Roshana Ondachchi, Shiny Dandeniya and Sandani Danapala comprised the rest of the cast.

The film is scripted by Sanath Abeysekara who has made a name with 26 teledramas to his credit.

Director Dr. Samarasinha went to England for higher studies and graduated in engineering, specializing in water pumps. He also served in the volunteer force of British Army for a short period and at present he runs his own security firm, Randes International (Pte) Ltd.

The film was shot in Puttalam, Kalpitiya and Panadura and at present it is being given the final touches.