Rear Admiral (Dr) Sarath Weerasekera’s debut cinema creation ‘GAMANI’ in cinemas island-wide

Rear Admiral (Dr) Sarath Piyananda Weerasekera’s maiden film venture ‘GAMANI’ was showcased to the media at a special screening held at the National Film Corporation’s Tharangani Cinema yesterday (August 4). Produced by Upali Rajapaksha with music by Nadeeka Guruge and Uditha Jayasinghe the film features a star studded cast of some of the country’s most prominent and talented actors and actresses.

Based on true events, the story centres on the tragic events of August 25, 1999, when 57 men, women and children in the village of Gonagala in the Ampara District were massacred by terrorists during the raging war. Considering that the then existing Home Guards of the village were highly disorganised and poorly trained and could do very little to protect the villagers who were ruthlessly slaughtered, the plot unravels how the Home Guards gradually become a formidable force trained by the Army and successfully repulse the second terrorist attack on the village - all under the purview of a veteran army officer, a major, posted in the adjacent village, a female teacher who volunteers in the village school and soon becomes highly concerned about the plight of the villagers, as well as the village priest - who together form a village security committee and fortify the bunkers against another attack which seems imminent.

This film which features Angampora style of martial arts and a well balanced mix of humour and romance also shows the cordial relationship that genuinely existed amongst the Sinhalese and the Tamils during the war-torn era. The film stars popular local personalities Sanath Gunatilaka, Dilhani Asokamala Ekanayaka, Bimal Jayakodi, W. Jayasiri, Geetha Kanthi Jayakodi and Veena Jayakodi among others.

Rear Admiral (Dr) Sarath Piyananda Weerasekera joined the Sri Lanka Navy as an Officer Cadet in 1971 and was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral in 2001 after which he was appointed as Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy in 2005. He retired from the Navy in October 2006 and was appointed as the Director General of the Civil Defence Force. He retired from the Civil Defence Force in February 2010 and contested the Ampara District General Elections and was elected as a Member of Parliament. The author of four books, he received a Masters degree and M.phil degree on Buddhist Philosophy from the Kelaniya Pali and Buddhist University. He has been awarded the Vishista Seva Vibushana Medal and Uttama Seva Medal for a Distinguished, Unblemished Naval Career and was awarded the Ranawickrama Gallantry Medal for Bravery in the Battle Field. As his debut production, the film ‘Gamani’ has already received many positive reviews from film lovers and critics alike – and has been recommended as a ‘must watch’ in the local cinema in the days to come.

Premiering to the public on the 19th of August 2011, ‘Gamani’ will thereon be screened at all E.A.P Theatres located island-wide.