New vision from Lakvahini

No Sex, Crime and Violence on Lakvahini, the latest addition to the the Sri Lankan television channel line up.

A venture between Singapore Telecom and Lakvision will provide the Asian region including the Middle East, 6 hours of digital viewing pleasure via a satellite linkup.

The Rs. 250 milion venture will feature cultural programmes to promote the Sri Lanka heritage and highlight the real situation here. Lakvision Chairman Rohan Welivita said that Sri Lankans were very creative and had a lot of untapped potential. He said local artistes would get international recognition for their work.

Lakvahini hopes to embark on Sri Lanka's first Digital Television Channel via Satellite on the 20th anniversary of its television history in Sri Lanka thus the first ever satellite program will be beamed to Asia on July 5, 1999.

The mission of the proposed Satellite Television Channel "Lakvahini" is to uplift all those through its programming strategy. All of its programmes will be free of sex, crime and violence making it possible for parents to leave their children alone in front of this small screen.

It is also of paramount importance to see that the viewer gets a very fair deal by way of reception. The Lakvision hopes to introduce a single channel dish antenna at a highly competitive price thus avoiding the exorbitant monthly rental levied by other satellite companies.

"The assembly and installation will also further boost the antenna industry in Sri Lanka providing jobs to talented and innovative youth. Lakvahini's mission also is to become an indirect 'diplomat' to the whole Asian region while being a "mother" station to local viewers", said Rohan Welivita.

"From the proposed programme content of 'Lakvahini' more than 70% of time slot goes to children's programmes and musical programmes. Children's programmes get 06 hrs, Youth Programmes get 03hrs, Sports get 02hrs, Women's Programs get 03 hrs, Musical Programmes get 10hrs, News & Current affairs get 07hrs, Documentaries on culture, Heritage and Environment programmes get 06hrs and Sinhala movies get 2.30hrs per week on a general programme base. " Welivita said.

Launching of this channel would be of paramount importance to Sri Lankan expatriates working in the West Asian Countries.

Sri Lankan program producers too, will benefit greatly by producing new TV programmes on Music, Current Affairs, Social issues and so on. Some of the 'once telecast' programmes could also be sold.

Very specially the Colombo Stock Exchange could be viewed by Far Eastern, would-be investors. Thus it is planned to make a positive effort, to rekindle their faith in investing in Sri Lanka, which has a very skilled work force..

Lakvision also plans to start a web radio station (via the Internet) Here too they will concentrate on Sri Lankan heritage and culture.

Both television and radio programmes will be aired in all three languages.

Rainbow in Hikkaduwa

The effervescent musical trio "Rainbow" which comprises youth and experience in the right proportions continues to thrill foreigners who throng the beach paradise of Hikkaduwa.

But deep within, their feelings have not been helped a bit by the attitude of the tourism industry figures as they strive to strike a balance between the level of entertainment to the guests and the flagging fortunes of the trade, hit badly by ethnic conflict.

Whatever happens on earth, music remains the eternal passion for Tony Warnakulasuriya, the leader of "Rainbow" as he carries on with a career which has given him satisfaction rather than financial yield during 30 of his life's best years. Having seen many of his previous bands dissolve through the years, Tony has never been happier than with the present combination with his life-long friend Sunil Liyanagamage and Tony's son Marlon.

Tony (49) is the lead vocalist who has a knack for Louis Armstrong songs. Sunil (48) who plays Bongo and percussion has a special ability to sing high pitch which is in great demand by foreigners.

Marlon at 22 has just entered the arena, but has already begun to show his immense potential with a string of highly successful shows. "Rainbow" are currently performing at hotels Blue Corals and Coral Gardens in Hikkaduwa.

Having seen the progress of Hikkaduwa as a tourist destination through the years, Tony can see that little importance is placed on music by the authorities, and is saddened by the loss that could be created by ignorance.

ABC King 99

Popular DJ Mohan Thilina Perera was crowned "ABC King '99" at the Annual Dance of the Academy of Business Studies (ABC) held recently at Galle Face Hotel.

He is working as the wardrobe director and the costume director for local Production Division of MTV, while working as a freelance Programme Producer and a script writer.

DJ Mohan is a student in Marketing and Law.

Nilanthi Munasinghe at the 'Dahasak Sithuvili'premiere serving refreshments to her colleagues. On her left is Dhamma Wanniarachchi and Henry Jayasena, who played opposite her in the film. Sound Engineer late Mervyn Rodrigo is also in the picture.

Miss Ceylon loves to be on screen

When Nilanthie Munasinghe (nee Wijesinghe) won the the Miss Ceylon title in 1969, she had completed acting in her debut film"Dahasak Sithuwili' (Thousands of Thoughts) directed by G. D. L. Perera. In this film she played opposite Henry Jayasena and Dhamma Wanniarachchi. Unfortunately Nilanthi was not selected at the world contest, something she does not regret. After the release of 'Dahasak Sithuvili' she had many film assignments under various film directors. She could have acted in many more films hadn't she been selective or choosy with regard to her character roles.

Nilanthie had no sooner completed her education in a convent when Director Perera selected her to play the main female role in 'Dahasak Sithuwili' for which she won an award.

She is glad that many highly rated film Directors assigned her to act in their movies.

"Although I have not maintained a record of titles of films it adds up to more than thirty. My first teledrama was Bertram Nihal's 'Kadawara' and I have appeared in more teleserials than films"she said.

However there was a short break in her acting career after she entered family life. She married Sunil Munasinghe, also a film personality. "As Sunil had no objection to my continuing to act in films I accecpted acting assignments. "she says.

She had to face intervals inbetween two childbirths. She is the mother of two sons. One of them is employed and the other is following a professional course in an Australian Institution.

Nilanthie is glad that after a time- gap of 31 years from her first film she still has the ability to be in acting. "But the types of roles have changed with the passage of time. Presently she plays mostly motherly type characters. "Many teleserial directors say that I resemble a walawwa type which I am not. Therefore I am assigned to play arisctrocratic women, "she says. Nilanthi plays such a role in 'Devini Amma' a teleserial scheduled to be on National Rupavahani on Mondays.

Nilanthie has appeared in three international films made in Sri Lanka, namely 'Menaka', 'Mother Teresa' and 'Carpet Weavers' which she considers an additional credit for her. Nilanthie would like to continue to be in this field for some more time as acting keeps her occupied and satisfied.

Kiinihiraya Mal: based on media reports

By Kumaradasa Wagista

The final shooting schedules of EAP Films 'Kinihiriya Mal' concluded last week with the filming of several scenes in Colombo. Kamal Addaraarachchi, Sangeetha Weeraratna, Vasanthie Chaturani, Veena Jayakody, Iranganie Serasinghe, Nilanthi Wijesinghe, Gnananga Gunawardena along with a few extra artistes were before the camera for the last scenes. These scenes were filmed by cinematographer Suminda Weerasinghe in two Colombo Hotels, Sapphire Hotel and Galadari Hotel.

"I am happy that shooting of 'Kinihiriya Mal' was over as scheduled. This was possible as the artistes and the technical crew cooperated with the production,'' Director H. D. Premaratna said. Several heavy shooting schedules of the film were concluded earlier in the outer Colombo areas and in distant locations in and around Galewela area. He is happy that location shooting was over before the monsoon rains could come.

Director Premaratna is making arrangements to complete all indoor work on the film shortly after the rush prints are seen and okayed. Voice dubbing, editing, re- recording and mixing are the next major steps involved, he said. Soma Edirisinghe is the producer of this film.

'Kinihiriya Mal' is a story woven around day-to-day happenings of little consequence in the country some of which are highlighted by the media.

Immediately after the married print of the'Kinihiriya Mal'is taken, director Premaratna has decided to concentrate on the release of the first Sri Lanka-Australia co-production of 'Mandakini' (The Milky Way) which had its world premiere in Sydney recently.

"'Mandakini'producer Kitsiri Karunaratna who is in Sydney has said the film will be screened in Melbourne shortly. This is mainly because of requests made by Sri Lankan expatriates there.

It will also be released in all major cities in Australia before the end of this year. He is hoping to release'Mandakini' in Sri Lanka shortly.

Ravindra Randeniya, Sabita Perera, Asoka Peiris, Pradeep Senanayake along with a few Australian aboriginies feature in the film. The storey discusses the future of the aborigin community in the world.

Several Sri Lankan aboriginies including the Veddha chief Tissahamy are seen in the film when the shooting was done at Dambana.

The Sri Lanka Film Guild felicitated film scholar Lester James Peries on his 80th birthday on April 5 at Hotel Taj Samudra. A large number of invitees from the celluloid world were present. Mr Peries and Mrs Sumitra Peries were received by Nadika Gunasakera and Somalata Subasinghe. Filmaker Tissa Abeysakera made a lengthy speech describing his films from 'Rekawa' to the present. Satischandra Edirisinghe compered the event which ended with a buffet. Producer Soma Edirisinghe congratulated Mr Peries after he cut the birthday cake. (Pic M. A. Pushpa Kumara)

Kikiliyamanna tower to reach many

By Sanath Weerasuriya

Swarnavahini, one of the most popular TV channels, has commissioned powerful transmitters on the heights of the Kikiliyamanna mountain range in Nuwara Eliya on April 4, which will enable them to reach more than 92% of the Lankan population.

According to S. Arambawela, the Engineering Director of EAP Networks, Kikiliyamanna is the second highest mountain range in Sri Lanka and Swarnavahini has selected this place, which is approximately 2300 metres above sea level, to install the new transmitter as a special preparation for the forthcoming World Cup series.

The tower could beam signals as far as Vavuniya in the North and Hambantota in the South. Since Pidurutalagala blocks signals from Kikiliyamanna, Swarnavahini has a transmitter in Matale to cater to Trincomalee and the surrounding areas.

The Kikiliyamanna main transmitter is supported by the relay stations in Colombo, Hunnasgiriya, Gongala (Deniyaya), Gammaduwa (Matale), Nayabedda (Bandarawela), Minuwangala (Ratnapura) and Hantane (Kandy) for better reception in these provinces.

Cricket fans will be in for a treat next month with this as Swarnavahini is opening a channel exclusively to telecast the 1999 World Cup tournaments to be held in England next month.

More than 92% of viewers will be able to watch the World Cup Cricket Tournament from May 14 to June 20.

Cricket fans are advised to tune to channel 33 though some may have other options and a better reception because of the relay stations in their respective areas.

For the viewer all this ensures that every single Sri Lankan across the length and breadth of the country will receive crystal clear pictures of Swarnavahini's coverage of every nail-biting encounter of the World Cup ... Live and uniterrupted!

Meanwhile the ITN has opened its new transmitting station at Hunnasgiriya to strengthen signals and enhance the reception in the Matale and Kandy districts.

'Agni Jala' shows futility of war

Agni Jala a special Avurudu Teledrama will be telecast on Swarnavahini at 8.10 p.m. on April 14.

The story is based on the life of border villagers. The cast comprises Nihal Fernando, Champa Sriyani, Nadarajh Sivam, Ranjani Raj Mohan, Mervyn Mahesh, Child actor, Asiri Dias.

Terrorists attack a border village close to a jungle where few families depend on cultivation. A 35 year old villager Ratnapala, his wife Piyaseeli, and their 8 year old child Chandana hide in the jungle to save their lives from the terrorists. Terrorists who kill some villagers burn Ratnapala's house and disappear. Ratnapala comes back in the morning to see what has happened to his house. Piyaseeli comes close to the house while the child sleeps in the jungle. The child who awakes from sleep, runs along the jungle in fear. He loses his way while listening to the sound of guns. He is rescued by some forest rangers but he jumps from their jeep and disappears. Finally he enters a fishing village where Sinhalese and Tamil fisher folk live.

A childless Tamil woman called 'Devani' seeing the child adopts him and looks after him cheerfully. The couple in the adjoining house too like him. Devani's husband 'Gopal' and his neighbour Muttu are surprised but allow Devani to keep the child in their house. The child adores Devani. His name 'Chandana' is changed to 'Chandrasekeran'

In the meantime the parents of the child, Ratnapala and Piyaseeli are taken to a camp for destitutes. Before that they search the whole jungle but fail to locate the child. Piyaseeli had to be treated at the camp due to the shock.

Some months later, Ratnapala's family is taken to the village after repairing their houses and the authorities give them protection. When the terrorists come to Devani's house suspecting that there is a Sinhalese child they threaten them to hand him over. Devani who brought up the child as her own son refuse, to hand him over.

This story highlights the tragic events faced by people as a result of the war which makes thousands of our people homeless. But motherly love and human bondage go beyond race or cast distinctions. All humans are children of one mother.

Agni Jala is directed by Milton Jayawardena and the story script is by K.B. Herath.

Woman claiming to be the mother

A teleserial titled'Deveni Amma' (Second Mother) is to be telecast on Rupavahini on Monday's.

The story revolves around two mothers claiming a child and is written and directed by Sanath Abeysakera who had earlier made 'Kuruse Handiya' and 'Indigolle Thotupola'.

However this young director laments that talented persons in the craft of making teleserials suffer as very few come forward to finance or even sponsor them.He is thankful to the manufacturers of Panadol for agreeing to sponsor 'Devini Amma'."The only state controlled television which supports young, up-coming first-time teleserial directors is the Independent Television Network (ITN),Sanath Abeysekera said.ITN even pays the teleserial producer before telecast,which is a great encouragement to the producer.

It is easy for an established teleserial director to get on the next assignment but the newcomer has to struggle hard to get a break even when his creation is worthy to be telecast.

"Moreover the first- time teleserial worker is always cornered as he has no finance even to start shooting and completing even an episode of his creation."There are hundreds of such talented filmmakers who only keep on counting their fingers till they get a financier to produce their work"he says.

The economics of the business world comes first when it comes to finding sponsors for new teledramas.

'Devini Amma' is a story centered on the life of a crumbling waluwwa ethos,where what goes on inside contrasts starkly with what appears on the outside.

The only daughter of the family marries against the wishes of her mother and goes away to settle in far away Africa.She gives birth to a baby girl.Sadly her husband is killed in an accident and the girl stranded and alone returns home with her child.

At this point the story takes an unexpected turn through many an incident and reaches the climax.

Nilanthie Wijesinghe plays mother and Sashikala Hettiarachchi the daughter. Priya Ranasinghe,Jayantha Bopearachchi,Maureen Charuni,Champa Kalhari,Saranapala Jayasuriya and many others are in the cast. Aishmantha Hettiarachchi is behind the camera while Rohana Bogoda directs the music.The teleserial is written and directed by Sanath Abeysekera.

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