Online edition of Sunday Observer

After a brief pause, Makalanda, a Director in a company in Colombo, speaks. "OK, fine. You are the only one I met who told the truth at an interview. At least you told me what you could do. You get the job here, Sam."

A part of the cast at the launching ceremony - From left - Sanath Gunathilaka, Roger Sveen, Victor Ramanayake, Kusum Perera, Manik Kurukulasooriya, Wathika Ravinath, Thesara Jayawardane, Nisansala Edirisinghe, Nilmini Buwaneka and Jagath Chamila.

This short dialogue is an extract from the screenplay of 'Samige Kathawa', the maiden film of the young Director Priyankara Vittanachchi. The story which proves to give a novel experience to local cinema goers is based on the Gratiaen Prize winning book in the year 2001, 'Sam's Story' by Ca pt. Elmo Jayawardena.

The protagonist of the film is Siri (Sammy), a boy coming from a poor family who lives in a village around the Mathugama area, with his mother and younger brother. Siri's father has left them when they were small. So their mother, the single bread-winner of the family struggles hard to bring them up. Due to the poverty and low social status, Siri's family meets with a lot of exploitation and humiliation in the village.

The early part of Sammy's life fills with indignity and exploitation. But later he experiences human compassion. His story will be unfolded before the cinematographic camera in early March. Other than the narrative episode of the main character Sammy, the film focuses on the real humanitarian facet of the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka in which Sinhalese and Tamils are demarcated by each other for undue reasons.

Hopes with 'Samige Kathawa'... Director Priyankara Vittanachchi.

"'Samige Kathawa' will neither be a soap opera nor a comedy, but a film with a blend of experiences with interesting and unique characters. In addition to its wit and humour, tears and laughter the film will also discuss the mental and sexual exploitation among the low status of people as well as the empathy and compassion that enliven human beings in this world," says Vittanachchi.

'Samige Kathawa' will be the very first broad screen film of Priyankara. His very first film direction and production was 'Lassana' (Beauty), a short film which he did for his two-year Diploma Certificate in the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA Extension) on Film and Television specialized in film directing. This short film won him the UNDA Award in Sri Lanka in 1994.

'Samaanthara' and 'Nikmana' were the two one-episode teledramas he did after his return from USA. In addition Priyankara has directed a number of documentaries, promotional and propaganda videos, commercials and music videos.

Priyankara obtained his Bachelor in Science (B.Sc) degree in Business Administration from California State University, Los Angeles and Associate in Arts (A.A) degree in Economics from Los Angeles Valley College.

While being the visiting lecturer to the Universities of Peradeniya, Sripali and Colombo, he has been imparting his knowledge by conducting numerous workshops for National Film Corporation and many other associations on film directing and screenplay writing.

Sammy, the main role of 'Samige Kathawa' is played by a promising young actor, Jagath Chamila. Jagath is a Signis tele award winner for best supporting actor last year for his role played for the tele 'Roda hatare Manamalaya' and the best actor in the National Stage Drama Festival for his excellent performance in 'Don Juwan' last year.

The rest of the main cast consists of Sanath Gunethilake, Manik Kurukulasooriya, Kusum Perera, Anushka, Victor Ramanayake, Asoka Weerakoon and Vinni Wettasinghe.

The story is written by Pushpakumara Ellawala and Priyankara Vittanachchi. Priyankara claims he has chosen the best team for 'Samige Kathawa' with Wimal Deshapriya as the Assistant Director, Welegedara Ranasinghe as the Art Director, Camera by Ruwan Costa, Sarath Wijesekara as the Production Manager and Shayman Jayasundara as the Editor.