Nation bids adieu to Tissa Abeysekera

Chaminda PERERA

Versatile and outstanding film personality creative writer and essayist Dr. Tissa Abeysekera was cremated at the Chandra De Silva Ground at Kotte where he was born and bread, amidst a vast gathering of mourners including artistes, academia and his friends.

Crowds kept streaming in at his residence at Rajagiriya from last Sunday where the body lay to get the final glimpse of Abeysekera who left indelible impression in the social and political arena in the country.

The funeral proceedings commenced after the casket carrying his remains was placed on a special platform. Chief incumbent of Naga Viharaya Kotte Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera in an Anusasana said late Abeysekera always used rich idioms, indigenous expressions and unique language forms to attract the vast audience.

The Thera said Abeysekera was among the few filmmakers in Sri Lanka who were honoured by the Universities around the world.

"Tissa Abeysekera made movies more respected and gave it dignity through his masterpieces" ' the Thera said. Chief incumbent of Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya and Vice-Chancellor of the Jayawardhanapura University Prof Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera said late Abeysekera played an active role in the country's political and social arena.

"He was engaged in self study over the cinema at a time the country lacked a separate training institution dedicated to the cinema. He wrote the scripts for a number of films directed by the veteran film personality Lester James Peries and earned the praise from the people of all walks of life, the Thera said.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama speaking on the occasion said Abeysekera attempted to express his ideology to the public through his masterpieces.

"He brought fame to Sri Lanka by winning a number of international awards. He won the Gratian Prize in 1992. He who came down from a very bilingual family attempted to rework the language with regional idiom and always attempted to give a message to the society through his masterpieces," the Minister said.

"He is a rare gem and he remained committed to his vision. The Minister said he had a vision from which he did not deviate under any circumstances.

Cultural Affairs Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said late Abeysekera effected many changes as the Chairman of the National Film Corporation.

He encouraged film producers to make high quality film by introducing special loan schemes. Those who are involved in the film industry immensely benefited by a number of projects launched by Abeysekera in his capacity as the NFC Chairman.

Lanka Sama Samaja Party General Secretary Wimalasiri De Mel reminisced the services rendered by Abeysekera to the Lanka Sama Samaja Party.

He said the late Abeysekera sticked to the policy that power should be devolved to end the woes faced by the people of different communities.