‘Pushparaga’: A suspenseful teledrama
By Susitha R. Fernando
‘Pushparaga’ (Topaz) another mini film by director- producer Sriyani Amerasena, who gives Sri Lanka viewers an opportunity of viewing different cultural backgrounds, experienced only by many expatriates living abroad.
Sriyani Amerasena, Robin Fernando, Diana Samanmali, Kanthi and Wimal Alahakoon, Nimanjalee Nanayakkara and Dinesh Eski star in this teledrama.

Claude Sirimanne is a retired judge. He is married and lives in a spacious house in England. Although an accident confines middle aged Claude to a wheelchair Thelma and Claude though childless live a contended life. Thelma’s love helps Claude through his infirmity. The inmates of the house include Irene the housekeeper, Disna, Claude’s nurse and Terrance their driver.

Claude’s birthday is celebrated and Keerthi and his group provide the music. This sets in a chain of events and incidents. Thelma loses her chain. This is an heirloom with an invaluable topaz. This was Claude’s gift to Thelma on the day of their wedding. As a result Thelma is reluctant to tell Claude about the loss.

She suspects the driver Terrance, nurse Disna and house keeper Irene. After questioning she is unable to find any incriminating evidence against them. This unsettles Thelma.

Meanwhile Claude senses that something is happening and is curious to know more about it. He questions Thelma who is not forthcoming. Thelma then suspects the group who came to play music at the birthday party and questions Keerthi who promises to help her. Seeing Thelma always pensive Claude feels depressed. He thinks that she is frustrated because he is confined to a wheelchair.

Thelma and Keerthi meet with an accident on their way to make a duplicate chain. This increases Claude’s suspicion and has a negative impact on him making him decide to go to Sri Lanka without informing others. The miniplay moves forward as Thelma, Terrance, Disna and Irene cope up as they realise the problems they have to face while Claude is in Sri Lanka.

Will Thelma’s marriage break up? Will she manage to find the precious heirloom? All these and many more questions will be answered as you watch “Pushparaga” every Saturday at 7.30 pm on ITN.