Journalist cum actress

Arthur U. Amarasena talks of his life with veteran actress wife Sriyani AmarasenA:

By Lakmal WELABADA

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"Since my wife and I are both in the same field we have not encountered any difficulty in understanding each other; especially when it concerns our career," opines veteran journalist Arthur Usmiyage Amarasena. Commenting on his 44-year marriage with popular actress cum teledrama directress Sriyani Amarasena.

Arthur, who has spent his entire life with the print media, has many things to say apart from his life with his celebrated wife.

"I was crazy over the cinema since I was a schoolboy. Though I didn't have much material assistance of getting information about the world cinema, I somehow managed to write to all the newspapers and magazines in the country. Firstly it was for the Children's Page, and later for the cinema affairs column. However, every article I wrote appeared. It was a great encouragement at a time there were no newspapers available in our area. The one and only source of information was the library of which I made the maximum use," recalls Arthur.

Usmiyage Arthur Amarasena was born on March 03, 1938 to U. Charles Perera, Railway Guard and Pinie Fransina de Silva. Arthur was the eldest of three brothers who followed in their father's footsteps to the Railway Service.

"My father wanted me also to join the Railway as many of my relatives were in the Railway Service. But, somehow I managed to convince 'Thatha' of my craze to write," he reminisces fondly.

Arthur studied at Sri Rahula Maha Vidyalaya, Katugastota and Ananda Vidyalaya, Kandy. His mother died when he was studying for the Higher School Certificate (HSC). It was the biggest blow in his life.

"She was to give birth to our fourth sibling, but we lost both. It was terrible. All of us felt deserted. I didn't have much desire to continue my higher studies after that. I mourned amma's death for about two weeks. Getting back to normal life was not easy. But my maternal aunty at Panadura decided to take care of us."

Arthur was about 20 years when Somapala Ranaweera started his own cinema magazine `Lanka Chalana Chitra' in 1959. Arthur agreed to work there for a monthly salary of Rs. 50."It was my first job which gave me an all round experience in every aspect of a newspaper office. From a reporter, Sub-editor, peon, clerk to a delivery boy" says Arthur of those early days.

His second job was at `Chitravahini' for a monthly salary of Rs. 75. Meanwhile, M.D. Gunasena launched a newspaper company - `Davasa' in 1961. Working under the Editor-in-Chief, D.B. Dhanapala, was an experience for young Arthur. Robert Jayawardane, Cyril A. Seelawimala and Sirilal Kodikara were his contemporaries who wrote a golden era in the history of local media in Sri Lanka. "We were paid 3 cents for a sentence for what we wrote. I managed to earn about Rs. 60-70. However, unlike todays' generation, we never bothered about the money, but tried to render our service to our maximum ability," he smiles.

`Davasa' was the Sinhala daily and `Rivi Rasa' was the Sinhala Weekly of `Davasa' company. Arthur was promoted as the Editor of `Visithura' Cinema Weekly apart from his reporting work at `Davasa.

"Some days, we had to work until 1-2 am. Sometimes, we used to stay in the office for 3-4 days.

We were very much dedicated to our work. To become a good journalist, one should have this type of dedication and should do news reporting at least for a short period. I covered courts, parliament and so on which gave me a lot of exposure for the society," he points out.

Being the Editor of `Visithura', Arthur did a silent service for the film industry, by giving publicity to many celebrities of today who had just stepped into the field at that time. Everything was functioning smoothly until a trade union was formed. "In 1970s the Chairman of `Davasa', Sepala Gunasena decided to close down the papers to suppress the Union action. We were jobless, but were paid monthly until they re-shuffled and re-arranged the staff. "So, we returned back to `Rivi Rasa' under famous editor, Gunadasa Liyanage. I re-launched `Visithura' while being the deputy editor of `Rivi Rasa, in 1974," he reminisces.

During this era Sirimavo Bandaranaike Government stopped using `Kumarodaya' books printed by M.D. Gunasena Publishers, and began to use the text books printed at the Government Press, which were issued to the market at a cheaper price. Gunasenas, who supported Sirimavo to come to power, got furious over this and started attacking the government. As a result, the Government sealed the Gunasena newspaper company, making the whole staff jobless.

"By this time, I was married and having two kids too. Sriyani was in films, but even she was not having much work during this time. So, I started my own fortnight cinema magazine, `Piyakaru'.

Film Producers whom I'd helped earlier giving publicity to their films assisted me by publishing advertisements in my magazine. I got it printed at the `Maha Bodhi' Press, Colombo. It was a hard time in our life," laments Arthur.

However, after a short period Gunadasa Liyanage became the Chief Editor of `Lankadeepa', Sinhala weekly of the Times Group, and called Arthur and his old group too to join them. There, Arthur launched a new cinema paper, `Sura Thura'. "But, it was the beginning of the problematic period in my career. Our group, which came from `Davasa', had to face many strokes of blades due to enmity at the 'Times.' It became worse with the Government change in 1977, and the UNP came to power. We were considered as SLFPers though we had nothing to do with politics," he recalls.

"Gunadasa Liyanage left the place and Deegoda Piyadasa became the Editor of `Lankadeepa'. Since the situation was unbearable, a group of us decided to join with Camillus Perera at Multipacks Publishers which published a popular series of papers such as the famous cartoon magazines `Siththara' and `Sithsara'. Arthur could re-vitalise his scope by launching another cinema weekly, `Sath Dina'.

`Kalpana', a literary monthly magazine funded by the three banks Bank of Ceylon, National Savings Bank and People's Bank was the next mark of success in Arthur's life. `Kalpana' was launched by the then Minister of Finance, Ronnie de Mel. `Kalpana' was a success until the Minister fell out of grace with the then President R. Premadasa," reminisces Arthur.

Arthur and Sriyani tried a new venture along with this by opening a grocery at Kolonnawa junction.

"It was a failure, since we were not versed in marketing craft", he laughs.

`Suraliya' (Weekly Woman), `Medaperadiga' (monthly magazine catered to the Middle East). `Nidahasa' and `Vishva Tharanga' (Literary) were the other publications Arthur put his hand to Since 2006, he has been working for `Liyathambara' which caters to the Middle East and Europe.

Q: How did you meet Sriyani?

Arthur: I've got many things from the `paper'. So in the case of Sriyani (laughs)... D.B. Dhanapala, editor-in-chief of `Davasa' wanted to launch `Cupid Corner' (marriage proposal column). Since it was going to be the first thing of that kind, he asked us young reporters to give details about ourselves to publish as `grooms' in order to give an idea to the people. So, we complied but without giving all our details. You won't believe that I got 366 letters from all over the island promising to give big dowries with coconut and rubber estates. But the only letter which described a girl who had some similar interests as me (art enthusiasm) was sent by Mrs. Weerakoon who happened to be Sriyani's mother.

Palam Kumbura Herath Mudiyanselage Sriyani Weerakoon Kumarihamy was born on June 14 at Meethotamulla to P.K.H.M. Weerakoon Banda of Ampitiya, Kandy and Emalin Wimalawathie Kodikara of Meethotamulla. Sriyani's father worked at the Colombo Municipality. Since she was the only child she was brought up in a secure background which gave her all the love and care she needed.\She had her education at Meethotamulla Vidyalaya, Musaeus College and Gothami Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo upto the then SSC. Her talents in dancing, singing and art made Sriyani a shining student at school.... This opened the doors to the young lass to the children's programme Siri Aiya at Radio Ceylon when she was 7 or 8 years.

Though she was the only child, Sriyani's parents never obstructed her from enhancing her talents. It was her mum who answered a paper advertisement asking for a young talent for a stage drama called, `Thammanna'. It was for the role of `Kuweni', a `yakka' woman. Sriyani, who was about 15 or 16 years at the time, was too tiny for the role. But, simultaneously she was selected for the role of `Gama Duwa' (village maid) in Dayananda Gunawardane's `Nari Bena' (fox as a son-in-law). That was the stepping stone in Sriyani's career which soared to become a household name.Destiny has its own plans for all of us. With another journalist colleague of his, Arthur went to see his first proposed bride at Meethotamulla. Still they didn't

want to reveal their true identity. But, after seeing such a beautiful damsel who was the fool going to say `no' to her?

Arthur, who was disguising himself under the forged name of `Silva' disclosed himself. After associating for about two years, the two tied the knot on November 11, 1964.

Q: Sriyani entered the cinema after she got married?

Arthur: Yes. But, she had appeared in a short documentary film produced to promote Sri Lanka Air Force `Wings over Ceylon' directed by Pagnasoma Hettiarachci. So, Tissa Abeysekara once brought me a photo of a pretty girl asking whether I knew her. He was looking for Sriyani for Lester's newest film `Delovak Athara'. I couldn't suppress laughing as by that time Sriyani was my wife already and was pregnant. So, we had to reject the offer. She entered the cinema through Lester's `Golu Hadawatha' (Silent Heart) when our daughter was about two and half years old in 1968. She became a full time film actress after she had her second baby.

We were really lucky as everything of our two children was done by Sriyani's parents during our absence.So far Sriyani has acted in 120 films and 15-20 teledramas. Her first screenplay and direction was the teledrama `Maggie' in which she did the main role as well. Sriyani has been involved in Sinhala teledramas made in many foreign countries. `Irabatu Tharuwa', `Hemanthaye Wasanthayak' and `Pushparagaya' were shot in England; `Jayathura Shankaya' Switzerland, `Peraliya' in Australia, `Supiri Tharuwa' in Singapore and `Thusharaye Chaaya' in Canada. `Sakura Mal', which was shot in Japan, which is to be telecast on Rupavahini next month, will be her next tele series. Except `Irabatu Tharuwa' and `Hemanthaye Wasanthayak' all the other teles were her own directions.

Q: In the cinema, she is the `tear drop' and the innocent. How do you see her?

Arthur: A strong woman. Sometimes adamant, but with a kind heart. She loves animals, and her passion is to help the underprivileged. We too have ups and downs as in any family. But, we know how to deal with things.

We both get angry, but compromise with each other's ideas, and that what is needed to lead a good married life.

Q: Generally, many husbands force their wives to put a full stop to acting once they get married. But, you followed a different theory.

Arthur: True. I asked her to give up stage dramas as it was a tiring job and had to go all over the island endlessly. But, I'm a person who loves the arts, stage and Cinema. Especially Cinema was my forte. Also I've always trusted her and assumed she would not break that faith. She is my wife and we are happy parents of two children and a grand daughter. I'm proud of her.

Q: We've heard that she is very particular when selecting the cast for her teles.

Arthur: Yes. That is because we take the Sri Lankan cast abroad and we carry their responsibility. Hence, discipline plays a great role more than the talent one has in him or her. If they behave badly they are not only disgracing us but also a disgrace to our country".

Q: About your children?

Arthur: Inoka Nilmini Wickremanayaka is my daughter. Her daughter is now 19 years following a fashion designing diploma in Singapore. Inoka was an air hostess at Air Lanka and also took part in a few films. Our son, Chandana Sampatha is a tea-taster.

Q: What's your message to the younger generation?

Arthur: This is what I have to tell especially for those who are attached to the media. Enhance your knowledge in every subject you undertake.

At least have a rough idea about everything as much as you can. Read and read and read. Education is very important for this profession as unlike a doctor or a lawyer, we, journalists do not deal with one subject. And try to be humble and genuine. Modesty is a key to touch one's heart. When you get information use such techniques. Also never be partial.

Try your best to tread a middle path always. When you hold your pen never put it on the paper with hatred, but with a balanced mind. That's all my theory which I put into practice.

Also, I have to state this as well. There are many prominent personalities in this society (in all fields) who think that journalists are there to report about them and that's our (journalists') duty to go behind them and get information. Some treat journalists with very low esteem.

That's wrong. In other countries, even in India, all walks of people treat journalists with great respect. I think it's high time to change such heinous attitudes in our society.

Journalists are doing a `service'...please remember that (smiles).