Tracks clear for ‘Yal Devi’
by Ruwini Jayawardana
As Sri Lanka’s legendary train
Yal Devi glides along the slopes on its way from the South to the North,
an equally fanciful ‘Yal Devi’ is waiting to make its presence felt on
reel. Sumedha Jayasena’s maiden cinematic creation ‘Yal Devi’ which was
shot in the USA will begin screening at theatres soon.
 The theme of the film centres on how the three decade terrorism in
the isle affects the Sri Lankan migrants in the west. It spotlights upon
two individuals, Manoj and Savithri, two Sri Lankans who have fled to
the USA in search of means of survival.
Savithri and her family are Tamils who have made America their home
after fleeing from the 1983 Sinhala-Tamil riots. Manoj is in USA to earn
a better living to support his parents and siblings. At first glance the
two are attracted towards each other only to discover that thought, they
are from the same motherland, they are of different ethnic groups.
This does not stop them from forming a relationship. Savithri’s
father gets to know about their romantic liaison and all hell breaks
loose. Manoj and Savithri are forced to make choices which go against
their conscience to please their elders and those who have created the
rift between the two ethnic groups.
“Many questioned why I did the movie. Several incidents inspired me
to piece together the episodes of the story. I am one of those Sri
Lankan expatriates living in Los Angeles who has never mentally left Sri
Lanka. I have followed the events in home soil on a routine basis and
have been studying the rift between the ethnic groups in detail,”
Jayasena who is also the main actor, producer and the joint script
writer of the film explained.
The plot of the film was penned by the director along with seasoned
writer and artiste Bhadraji Mahinda Jayatilaka.
Speaking about his entrance to the arts scene the Molecular Biologist
turned director says: “My father was an ardent Sinhalese poet who
followed the footsteps of the late Kumaratunga Munidasa. I grew up
listening to him reciting his creations. I was driven to compose quite a
few verses myself however my decision to venture into cinema sprung out
of my desire to experiment with new technological devices.”
 The cast for ‘Yal Devi’ comprises many new faces including Thushari
as Savithri, the main female lead. Bhadraji Mahinda Jayatilaka, Shirani
Kaushalya, Madara Jayasena, Rajikka Natkunanathan, Kithsiri Rajapakse,
Sisira Senaviratne, Tusitha de Silva and others also portray significant
roles.
“My ambition was to make a movie which both Sinhalese and Tamils can
watch and share experiences together.
The rift between the two groups was not confined to the shores of the
island. It had spilled over to many countries in the western part of the
globe.
The US has been a part of the international theatre for this
conflict.\ I wanted to portray how the society operated towards this
problem in foreign countries and its effect on the Sri Lankan migrants,”
Jayasena said adding that the movie includes English dialogues as well
as English subtitles so that the western audience can follow the tale. |
