Gamani captured in Karuwalagaswewa

Ruwini Jayawardana in Puttalam

Shooting is in full swing on the sets of Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara’s maiden movie Gamani. The movie boasting of a cast comprising some of the most talented actors in the field shot some scenes at Karuwalagaswewa in the Puttalam district recently. A few scenes were shot at the Puttalam Army Training School in which actors donned in home guard outfits underwent a comical scene of a tiring inspection.

The movie is based on a true incident which unfurled at Gonagala ten years back.

“Fifty-seven civilians were massacred by the LTTE during the affair. I heard the news when I was at sea and attached to the navy. I was haunted by the fact why the home guards were not able to protect the citizens from the attack. Ironically, a couple of years after the incident I was put in charge of the Civil Defense Force (CDF),” related the battle-hardened individual who became the highest-ranked serviceman to take to the director’s seat.

Becoming the Director General of the CDF certainly helped him in his creation as it dealt with a topic close to home. He says that the main reason for him to engage in movie-making is to boost the morale of the CDF which played a vital role in ensuring the security of the boarder villagers eclipsed by the shadows of terrorism.

“Terrorism is a national problem. Therefore the people, excluding those who are siding for terrorism, should play their part in eradicating terrorism, directly or indirectly. Artistes should take measures to make creations promoting the confidence and mind set of the forces.

Unfortunately what had been happening so far is the exact opposite. Some film-makers have been painting a very bleak picture of the forces through their movies and projecting it in the international arena,” Rear Admiral Weerasekara explained adding that such creations helped terrorists to justify their actions in the eyes of onlookers.

“I have even stated before that such kind of creations amounts to treason,” he elaborated, pointing out that such productions paved way for him to take to moviemaking. Gamani sheds light on the strength and humane side of the local military forces.

Though many films and teledramas have been based on the July conflicts and the unjust treatment of the Tamil citizens, he said that a movie has yet to emerge on the theme of his choice.

He said, “Gamani also sheds light on the army’s attitude towards the Tamil citizens. For instance it is those in the south who provide some of those who were once LTTE supporters in the Manik Farm camp with food. Angampora, our native martial art, is also included in the tale. Ritigala Sumedha who is well versed in this fighting technique did an exceptional job for the shots.”

Another significant aspect in connection with Gamani is that 57 coffins had been brought in with 600 citizens for the shots of the funeral procession. A storm had descended during the event refreshing their memories. A similar storm had taken over the skies on the day the scene had taken place in real life.

“I believe that there is some significance to the incident, especially as we engage in this production for a worthy cause,” the renowned wordsmith who had scripted a couple of books said.

The cameraman of the project, Saman Sigera, had worked with Rear Admiral Weerasekara for nearly 20 years, making short films during his stint in the navy. The producer is Upali Rajapakse. Bimal Jayakody and Dilhani Ekanayake take on the lead roles. Shooting will conclude next month. The team hopes to launch the movie towards the end of the year.

Cast:

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
Ranjith Rubasinghe
Jagath Chamila
Jagath Beneragama
Asela Jayakody
Sampath Chaminda Jayaweera
Sujani Menaka
Manel Weeramuni
Dayadeva Edirisinghe
Prema Pathiraja
Natalie Nanayakkara
Malkanthi Jayasinghe
Giriraj Kaushalya
Geetha Kanthi Jayakody
Manel Wanaguru
Mali Jayaweerage
Divya Dharshani
Ishani Ruvindika

Director: Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara
Producer: Upali Rajapakse
Cameraman: Saman Sigera
Editor: Ravindra Guruge
Assistant Director: Asoka Athaudahetti
Art Director: Sunil Wijeratne
Production Manager: Palitha Tennakoon
Music: Nadeeka Guruge
Make-up Artist: Priyantha Dissanayake
Costume Designer: Sanjeewa Karunaratne
First Assistant Director: Ravindra Thanthirige
Second Assistant Director: Vernon Abeysinghe
Still Photography: Dammika Pathiratne
Hair Dresser: Thushara Vidhanagamage
Sound Recording: Sujith Perera