Kopi Kade gets stronger with every programme
Marks 1,350th episode tomorrow:
Kopi Kade will screen its 1,350th episode tomorrow night. The story
revolves around taking loans not to make ends meet, but to be
fashionable like the rich, and being unable to pay back the loans.
Script writer Thilak Kumara Ratnayake told the Daily News that Kopi
Kade not only aims to entertain viewers, but also drive a message among
them.
Ratnayake said Kopi Kade was first directed by Andrew Jayamanne and
captured the hearts of all Sri Lankans.
He said Kopi Kade artistes took to the streets to collect funds and
assistance to help the people displaced by the war and other natural
calamities, which was followed by the others.
Kopi Kade artistes Martin Gunadasa (Poli Mudalali), Wimal
Wickremaarachhi (Ratne), Denawaka Hamine and Raja Sumanapala are not
among the living while some had left, Ratnayake said.
He said stars like K D Siripala and Ariyaratne Handuwela, including
him, continue to play their assigned roles for the past 27 years
beginning from the first episode telecast on April 1,1987.
Ratnayake said Kopi Kade was started as an experiment, to see how
best a production could be made utilising minimum funds.
"We have proved very successful and our tele drama became one of the
strong sources of income to Independent Television Network (ITN)," he
said. Senior Minister DEW Gunasekera, as ITN chairman once said that
Kopi Kade was the station's live wire.
"Kopi Kade will be screened as long as viewers will want it to
continue," Ratnayake said.
Kopi Kade is now directed by Sudan Dayaratne. - Ema |
