Lak Roo: Lanka’s uniqueness at the fingertips

Ruwini Jayawardana

Preserving our heritage To put things simply, “Yesterday is history and today will form part of our history for tomorrow”, that is all what Lak Roo is all about.

When other television channels are on a popularity race, the latest television channel which transmits through PEO TV, SLT VisionCom, a fully owned subsidiary of Sri Lanka Telecom PLC, had come up with the timely need of preserving the treasures of the isle of the past and re-visualizing it on screen.

The 24 hour channel encompasses programs focusing on history, culture, nature, films and documentaries on various subjects. It also spotlights on many ground breaking creations of Dr. Lester James Peries, Sudath Mahadivulwewa, Vimukthi Jayasundara and others.

The channel was launched recently to coincide with cinema doyen Dr. Lester James Peries’ 90th birthday at Temple Trees under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Dr. Peries’ first documentary ‘Conquest in the Dry Zone’ was aired as the first program on Lak Roo.

He plays it straight. Minces no words and shoots from the hip. That’s Ravindra Randeniya. As luminous as his performances. Never one to call a spade a shovel, it is heartening to meet an outspoken actor like him. That he cares for his craft is at all times on full display. Daily News ‘Projector’ met the seasoned actor recently to gather his ideas on Lak Roo and to catch up with the latest news in his life.

“The Government Film Unit (GFU) is the first film unit established in the country and is 61 years. Many are not aware that it had produced some of the best film directors of our time. It had opened doors to a lot of people to display their talent in cinema. It was also the main organization which covered all the important events in the country as far back as 1948. They used to take their documentaries outstation and screen them at public places.

That was a great service during the period and the GFU still possessed a huge collection in their archives. With the emergence of television Rupavahini, took up this task and GFU became slightly less significant. However, I see a revival of the enthusiasm in the sector.

Government Information Director General Anusha Palpita is especially enthusiastic to see that things are under way. Dr. Tissa Abeysekara was assigned with the task of restoring the material and classifying them. Once again they have begun making documentaries of educational value and encouraging new filmmakers to bring out their creations,” he noted.

Speaking on Lak Roo, the latest offspring of the GFU he said, “They have made small clips of Sri Lanka which will be available to you through the channel, on your mobile or screened at various important places in the country.

We are made aware of the political development of the country after independence, various cultural activities and many other topics from the past and present which will pass on valuable information to the society.”

He also added that the television channel has an important role to play in contributing to the emerging appreciation towards Sri Lankan values and traditions and establishing its uniqueness internationally.

Queried if telecasting films through the small screen will affect the number of theatergoers Randeniya stated that this is true only up to a certain degree.

“We are a bit lagging behind in that sector as some of the theatres are not equipped with quality technical devices but in countries like India, the technical quality and larger than life image that you find at the theatre can never be duplicated by your home theatre setup. It is a totally different experience,” he stressed adding that though there are channels dedicated to telecasting films throughout the world, they have failed to make a significant impact on the theatre industry.

“The audience will also get a chance to watch some of the great creations of yester-year,” he said.

Referring to his upcoming projects, Randeniya revealed that he had decided not to work in any teledramas. He hopes to take a break as work on Veediya Bandara had been postponed. He is also involved in another project, a film, which will be announced soon.

Asked whether he would ever turn film director he said, “I have been involved in many aspects of the industry, especially its development. I played a significant role in all the campaigns we held to protect the industry and as a representative of the cinema scene.

However I have been totally consumed by acting. My acting did not involve simply facing the camera and reciting the lines with the actions.

It is a psychologically and physically engaging task. Now that there is a pause, maybe I would contemplate the matter,” he concluded with a smile.