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'We must go to the Kala Bhavana and pay our last respects to Manel Jayasena, for she had been one of our brightest stars on the stages as well as on the screen' I told my wife. As she agreed both of us went there.

Having paid our last honour to the dear departed we wanted to have a moment of silence.

Then came a certain friend of ours. He was working with me as a radio program producer cum announcer. When he stopped briefly to say 'how are you?' I was reminded of a certain information given to me about his daughter. The daughter of my friend by now had sprouted out as one of the vibrant actresses on the little screen.

I saw her several times on the little screen playing the role of a young girl clad in the school uniform.

'Are you the father of a budding film star?' I asked my friend.
'Are you referring to my daughter Chaturika?'
'Yes'
'Why, didn't you know that?'
'My wife told me' I said.
'Is she still going to school?' I asked.
'Not really. She is in the media channels than any where else'
'So it's full time acting and part time studies?'
Both of us laughed for a while.
'Yes. That's correct'
She is in much demand these days.
'I like to meet her' I said.
'She came with me. Let me see where she is'.

Then I saw my friend walking towards a corner of the Arts gallery. I followed him. My wife too joined me. I was introduced to this young star.

'I have seen you on the screen, but this is the first time I see you in real life' I said.

'I am happy to hear that. so did you like my performances?'

'Yes indeed. You do it so well. From where did you get your training?'

Then she looked at her father, and waited as if to get the response from him.

'She reads books on the subject of acting' he said.

'Oh that's good I remarked.

'I wish I had the proper training but where is the place from which I can get that?' She asked me. I also did not have the proper answer. But I just said.

'But I suppose there are quite a number of theatre schools, all over the country'. She looked at her father once again.

'They say that there are quite a number of schools for theatre are established, but I am not too sure whether there is any institute which can teach us acting?' The correct methods, I believe!

Actually I was worried as to what we can do to overcome this distance.

There are quite a number of youngsters who so like to take up theatre and theatrical activities as their profession, and help build a better climate of dramatic performance. In the past there were several units of theatre training given by such places as National Youth Council and Tower Hall Foundation. But I am not too sure whether they are still functioning or defunct.

I see that there are quite a number of Chaturikas in our country. They need a helping hand to develop their inborn skills.

"Let's get some one to start a real Thatre School for not only actors, but also to all those connected with media" I said turning to leave the place.

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