Rodney writes on journeys to waterfalls

Veteran journalist and writer Rodney Vidanapathirana's latest book 'Diya Eli Charika' (Journey to Waterfalls) is a guide to all nature lovers and travellers and trekkers of waterfalls.

The book is a collection of travel articles he had written to 'Tharunaya' newspaper for more than ten years. Renu Ella, Ranmudu Ella, Miunu Ella, Adipalama Ella, Mohini Ella, Pahanthura Ella, Puna Ellla and many more and more than half of them are unknown or unheard to us. Yet the elaborative descriptions he makes and adventures he had faced in trekking them would definitely persuade any reader to try them.

Rodney Vidanapathirana is not a new name for readers of travel books. He earlier authored two books 'Sancharaka Satahan' (Travelling Notes) in 2000 and 'Duskara Charika' (Difficult Journeys) in 2002 based on travels he made to write to different newspapers.

‘I love nature and every journey I have made had filled me with unforgettable memories’ said Mr. Vidanapathirana. ‘If it was not for those who had corporated I would never have been able to make these journeys’ said Rodney expressing his gratitude to all the photographers who joined him and others who had provided information. Among them he specially mentioned of Ranjith Lal Bandara of Maskeliya who had given many tips to him on untracked waterfalls in the up country.

Rodney's writing was not limited to travel writing. He is one of the well-known film journalists besides being himself a filmmaker and teledrama director. Starting with 'Surathura', a film magazine edited by veteran journalist Arthur U. Amerasena, Rodney later joined former 'Irida Lakadeepa'. "I was introduced to Arthur by filmmaker and photographer Timothy Weeraratne. Rodney first made his name as a film journalist in 'Sithsara'. Joining 'Tharunaya' in 1982 he became its editor the following year.

Rodney joined the cinema as an assistant director with Sena Samarasinghe in his Chanchala Rekha. This followed Shirley P. Wijeyratne's 'Welle Thenu Maliga'. With the experienced he gained as an assistant director, Rodney made his own film 'Shipa Denu Mena'. However due to unfortunate circumstances including financial difficulties faced by the producer the film was not completed. Switching to teledrama making, Rodney made six successful directions. 'Uda Wediya Mal', 'Hathe Wasama', 'Ridi Tharaka' and 'Hima Piyali' are some of them and he is getting ready for his seventh mini play 'Suchithrawage Kathawa'.

Rodney a multitalented artiste is well-known for his versatility in writing lyrics. There are a large number of singers who had sung some of their hits to Rodney's catchy words. Vijaya Kumaratuge's 'Karamba Yaye', Jagath Wickremasinghe's 'Sagara Tharanga', Nirosha Virajani's 'Sanda Rajini' are some of the songs written by Rodney that has become evergreen Sinhala hits.

Attached to the 'Lankadeepa' Rodney works as a senior journalist. Married to Amitha he is thankful to his wife and two sons Marlon and Akash who have been giving him the necessary emotional support.