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| Saturday, 29 May 2004 |
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Martin Wickremasinghe Lanka's foremost intellectual novelist, writer - Zuhair by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi Veteran author Martin Wickremasinghe's original and imaginative writings live in the hearts and minds of millions of Sri Lankans, not belittling the impact created by the translations of his works into nearly nine other languages, Rupavahini Corporation Chairman M. M. Zuhair PC said yesterday. Addressing a ceremony at the National Library Auditorium to mark the launch of the Martin Wickremasinghe Film Festival and an exhibition of photographs and books, Zuhair said the late Wickremasinghe, born on May 29 1890, 114 years ago, stands out as the foremost intellectual, novelist and writer of this country. "His writings reflecting the tolerant and humane traditions of eastern values, in general and Buddhist traditions in particular, came as a bulwark against nearly five centuries of foreign dominance of Sri Lanka and its obvious ramifications," he added. "But it will remain to the eternal credit of this intellectual and creative giant, that he did not descend to the superficial, emotional or vulgar nationalism of the dogmatic but consistently aired the liberal native traditions of the country reflecting in the hearts and minds of millions of his readers, the values of enlightened nationalism," Zuhair said. He noted that the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation considers it a privilege to honour the life and works of Mr. Wickremasinghe by launching the film festival and telecasting four of his great films on four consecutive Saturday nights over the Rupavahini commencing today. The Martin Wickremasinghe Film Festival is held to commemorate the 114th birth anniversary of the renowned and perhaps one of the greatest writers and intellectuals of Sri Lanka. With the blessings of the Martin Wickremasinghe Trust, it is an initiative by Power House Pvt. Ltd. and will be aired on Rupavahini. The film festival consists four films. These will be telecast every Saturday at 9.30 p.m. on Rupavahini for the next four weeks. Viragaya (the Way of the Lotus), will be telecast today. Directed by Tissa Abeysekera and produced by Chandra Mallawarachchi, it will be the first time in history where it will be shown on television after its release in 1987. Next in line is Gamperaliya (June 5) followed by Kaliyugaga June 12 and finally by Madol Doova on June 19. The book and photo exhibition of Martin Wickremasinghe will be held at the National Library Exhibition Hall on May 28 and 29. Director General Rupavahini Corporation Nishantha Ranathunga, actor Sanath Gunathilake and Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera also addressed the gathering. |
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