8th Swarna Pusthaka Award Ceremony

The following books have been selected for the final round of the forthcoming 8th Swarna Pusthaka Award Ceremony -

Piyasi Kavuluwa by Kapila Kumara Kalinga, Ratu Idda by Karunadasa Sooriyarachchi,

Abhirahas Jeevitha Tharanaya by Tennyson Perera, Situwara Puvatha by Rupa Sriyani Ekanayake,

Parandel by Shanthi Dissanayake

Those were the days

The Saints are back to entertain music lovers with a sparkling set of songs from the 50's to the 70's. The Saints in Concert will be staged on September 9 at 7.00 p.m. at the Lionel Wendt. They have chosen nostalgic ballads, songs from the movies and retro-pop at its best with exciting music arrangements. Also included are the ever popular hits of Englebert, Ricky Nelson, Bryan Adams and Sting.

The Saints have also included a Sinhala song segment which will include songs by Pandith Amaradeva, Rukantha and Surendra Perera. For those who still enjoy the songs of Jim Reeves, a special sing-a-long of his favourites have been included.

The acclaimed Saints whose vocal harmony is the talk of the town will be accompanied by Christo Prins - drums, Basil Paiva - bass, Revel Crake - guitar and the acknowledged pianist Dayadthree Jayasuriya. The choir has been trained by Suren Abeysekera and Priyanka Perera.

Comedy Seven at Sudarshi Hall

The commencement of production of the stage drama 'Comedy Seven' by Nandana Hettiarachchi and Indrajith Chamikara will take place today at Sudarshi Hall, Colombo 7 on September 2. The premiere will be held on September 23 at 3.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. at the S.S. Jayasinghe Hall, Dehiwela. Nandana Hettiarachchi obtained the highest number of votes to emerge winner of 'Comedy Star', the reality television show organised by Swarnavahini. The drama will feature Hettiarachchi, Rohani Weerasinghe, Damayantha Perera, Shani Jayawardena, Mahendra Wijerathne, Kumari Keppetipola and Gunarathna Kondasingha.

A scene from the teledrama

Hiru Thanivela Ahase...

Sampath Sri Roshan's latest Sinhala teldrama 'Hiru Thanivela Ahase' will be telecast shortly. It is produced by Nuwan Sanjeeva for the Media Home. The script is written by Rihan Ravindra. Piyatissa Akuramboda is the art director.

The make-up is by Tharaka Adikari. The music is directed by Ranga Dasanayake. The teledrama is edited by Roshan Dileepa Karunaratne.

The cast includes Sathischandra Edirisinghe, Srimal Wedisinha, Cletus Mendis, Janaka Kumbukage, Sanjaya Moragolla, Samadhi Aruna Chaya, Kusum Renu, Meena Kumari, Nirosha Herath, Nipunika Hewagamage and Buvani Chapa.

Dhawala Bheeshana at Lionel Wendt

A scene from the play

Dharmasiri Bandaranayake's Dhawala Bheeshana, the Sinhala translation of 'Men Without Shadows' by French playwright Jean Paul Satre will go on the boards of the Lionel Wendt today at 6.45 p.m.