Veterans parade on CEL circuit

The CEL circuit, which is famous for the prestigious releases, has lined up a series of Sinhala films made by veteran award winning filmmakers.

Following talented Anuruddha Jayasinghe's maiden cinematic venture ‘Sankranthi’ by acclaimed filmmaker Vasantha Obeysekera's ‘Aganthukaya’ (The Outcast) will be released. It stars Saumya Liyanage, Chandani Seneviratne and Sanath Gunatilake in the main cast. Dealing with the repercussions of the politicising of society Aganthukaya narrates a plight of a principal who was caught between the principles he lived for and he withstood for and the pressure from outside.

Yet another veteran Dr. Sunil Ariyaratne's ‘Uththpalawanna’ is scheduled to be released after Obeysekera's. Produced by Milina Sumathipala the film brings Sangeetha Weeraratne in the lead as a Bikkhuni or female monk. Titled with a name that comes in one of the Jathaka stories the film is set against the backdrop of the 1989 insurrection period and is based on a script written by veteran scriptwriter Tissa Abeysekera. The others in the star cast are Malani Fonseka, Chandani Seneviratne, Roshan Ravindra and Rohana Beddage.

‘Nisala Gira’ (Silent Honour) a moving portrait of a woman and the discovery into drug peddling and addiction in high class society is the latest production by internationally awarded actress Nita Fernando. The film which has completed its production will fit into the circuit just after 'Uththpalawanna'. Debut directorial venture of Tanuj Anawaratne, the story and screenplay is by Yolanda Weerasinghe and the director himself.

Nita playing the lead in a group of young actresses including Nimmi Harasgama, Damitha Abeyratne, Kanchana Mendis, Rozanne Diasz and veterans like Iranganie Serasinghe, Ravindra Randeniya, Chandra Kaluarachchi with talented Saumya Liyanage in the stellar cast.

Most experienced female filmmaker in the country, Ms. Sumithra Peiris' latest film 'Yahaluwo' would be the next attraction. Introducing new faces to the cinema, the film has Dr. Namal Senasinghe as the new producer and Sujeewa Senasinghe as a lead star.

The line up also includes veteran actor Sanath Gunathilakake's maiden film 'Ekamath Eka Rataka' (Once Upon a Time).