 Sarath Namalgama’s mission:
Healing minds through artistic creations
by Ruwini Jayawardana
It is said that when we touch
another with a compassionate heart, it creates a sacred moment. This is
the exact experience which actor and producer Sarath Namalgama faced
when he decided to launch a project to heal the minds of groups of
individuals who have been neglected by the society. He had come upon the
idea while staging a play at the Psychiatric Centre in Staten Island,
USA.
  “That was when it hit me that we have been neglecting certain groups
such as inhabitants from elderly homes, orphanages, the less-abled and
those in rehabilitation camps. As human beings we need entertainment to
get away from the monotonous nature and stress of our daily life. We
need some form of mental satisfaction,” Namalgama said.
Since each of the marginalized groups are made up of a vast number it
is difficult to take them to cinema halls or drama theatres. The team
imports equipment such as screens, amplifiers, sound systems and
projectors to where the groups reside and sets up the screens for the
creations to unspool. “I project creations which I have produced. We had
the first screening at Thusitha elderly home, Polgasowita, on February
11. This was a huge success. The elders thoroughly enjoyed themselves
with the teledrama that had been cut down to fit three hours,” he said
adding that their joy had been a huge motivating factor.
He believes that the project will set an example to the younger
generation as it encourages them to look towards the less fortunate and
those who are hungry for attention. “Most of these people are residing
at places where they do not have facilities to watch television. They
are only equipped with the basic necessities,” he noted.
Namalgama had crossed many oceans to venture into countries such as
USA, Canada, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, Malaysia, Qatar and countries of
the Middle East due to his connection with the arts stream. He had even
clinched the Sumathi Tele Award for his production ‘Sihinayak Pata Patin’
in 2006. He had acted in a number of teledramas and films. He had toured
Korea and the USA with ‘Ananda Samarakoon’s stage play ‘Ahasin Vatunu
Minissu’.
“Bringing a smile into others’ faces gives me a sense of
satisfaction. We are brought to this world with a purpose. We should
play our part, the mission of creating a better life for those who are
less privileged. We need to leave a lasting impact by touching the minds
and hearts of many before we leave this earth,” he concluded, revealing
his vision in life.
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