Rear Admiral Weerasekara as movie director brings :

Another ‘Gonagala massacre’

Ruwini Jayawardana

Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara had shifted from his post up in the ladder of national security, briefly, to take on the seat of a movie director as he set the foundation to his debut creation Gamani.

The Muhurath ceremony of the film was held on July 24 at the BMICH. Leader of JHU Ellawala Medhananda Thera MP, Gonagala Panditha Thera, Advisor to JHU and Western Provincial Agricultural and Environmental Minister Udaya Gammanpila and National Film Corporation Chairman Jayantha Dharmadasa graced the occasion along with a number of other distinguished guests.

Produced by Upali Rajapaksa the film is based on the real life incident of the LTTE massacre at Gonagala in 1999.

A religious ceremony is held on behalf of the dead in a home when the armed LTTE carders invade the area killing all those in sight. The next day soldiers lead by the Army Major visit the area. A young schoolteacher who is also new to the area is also present in the scene. She blames the whole incident on the soldier’s inability to keep the town safe from Tiger invasion. Angered by her words the youth leaves the area with his companions.

The teacher and the Major meet again on another occasion and she requests him to give the soldiers proper training. Yet again he refuses her opinion.

Not to be defeated the teacher sets up a security committee with the villagers. The Major realizes the wisdom behind her words and takes steps to train the soldiers.

This conflict of different opinions between the Major and the teacher will be captured on lens by Sanam Sigera.

The cast comprises W. Jayasiri, Dilhani Ekanayake, Bimal Jayakody, Sanath Gunatileke, Suminda Sirisena, Chandrasoma Binduhewa, Mahendra Perera, Lakshman Mendis, Saranapala Jayasuriya, Veena Jayakody, Damitha Abeyratne, Sarath Kothalawala, Jayani Senanayake, Muthu Tharanga, Kumara Thirimadura, Anuruddhika Padukkage, Raja Ganeshan, Gihan Fernando, Dharshan Dharmaraj, Jagath Chamila, Jagath Benaragama and others.

The editor is Ravindra Guruge, the assistant director is Asoka Athauddahetti, art director is Sunil Vijeratna and the production manager is Palitha Thennakoon. Nadeeka Guruge is the music director of the film which includes a song sung by Deepika Priyadharshani. Make up is by Suresh Indika and the costumes are by Sanjeewa Karunaratne. Ravindra Thanthrige and Vernon Abeysinghe act as assistant directors.

Referring to the title of the film, the director said that Gamani derives from the Sinhala term ‘home guard’. It reflects on the individuals who are the live wire of the movie and portray true courage and team work through the tale.