On an initiative by President Mahnida Rajapaksa, to further
popularise the tourism industry among foreigners travelling to the
country, and also to feature creations of local artistes to
international audiences, a new project has been undertaken by Sri Lankan
Airlines, to screen Sinhala movies as part of its ‘Inflight
Entertainment’ segment.
This new scheme which kick-started six-months ago, has already aired
top-rated films which starred popular and veteran stars such as film
queen Malani Fonseka, Joe Abeywickrema and films churned out by the
legendary director Dr. Lester James Peries.
As part of this ‘Inflight Entertainment’ belt on SriLankan Airlines
and with the co-ordination of Teleview, arrangements have been made to
screen, one of the biggest box-office attractions of the 1990s, H.D.
Premaratne’s critically acclaimed ‘Palama Yata’ (Under the Bridge),
commencing August 1, in which screen heroine Geetha Kumarasinghe, gave
one of her finest dramatic performances, in her movie career.
 Teleview head Sunil Ratnayake speaking to ‘Sunday Observer Magazine’
said one of the main reasons to choose ‘Palama Yata’, was that the film
had garnered four prestigious awards for one artiste at the same
festival and for the same film thereby creating a unique record never
been equalled or surpassed, in the annals of the Sinhala cinema.
During the 1996 Sarasaviya Film Festival, Geetha Kumarasinghe who
produced the film ‘Palama Yata’ bagged the awards in the categories of
Best Actress, Most Popular Actress, Best Film and Most Popular Film
etc., as the movie became a mega hit not only among movie goers
nationwide but also among a wide spectrum of film critics back in 1995.
The film starred such established actors like Joe Abeywickrema,
Sanath Gunathileke, Cyril Wickremage, Sunethra Saratchandra, Erasi Anver,
H.A. Perera and Neil Alles.
Sunil Ratnayake said that besides films starring Sri Lankan artistes
being aired in the ‘Inflight Entertainment’ segment, moves are also
afoot to give much exposure to local stars in the ‘Inflight
Entertainment Magazine’ which hitherto gave publicity only to Hollywood
and Bollywood thespians.
This magazine which is expected to be published in all three
languages Sinhala, Tamil and English will also provide a window to
locals and tourists to appreciate the work of Sri Lankan artistes, while
promoting the country as a top-notch tourist destination.
Ratnayake added that besides screening Sinhala movies, there will
also be documentaries shown related to local artistes on their life-long
work, in the industry.
He commended both President Rajapaksa and CEO of SriLankan Airlines
Manoj Gunawardena for joining hands together to popularise Sri Lankan
cinema to the outside world while maintaining the country’s identity, as
Production Co-ordination of this project.
A synopsis of ‘Palama Yata’ (Under the Bridge)
The film based on an award-winning novel by Kulasena Fonseka, deals
with the life of ‘Dotty’ (Geetha)a washerwoman living in a drug and
underworld infested slum on the outskirts of the capital city of
Colombo.
Dotty’s husband Solomon (Joe) is in prison and she is left alone to
tend to her little son (Rasi Anver).
She struggles against great odds and is confronted by both the good
and the bad elements of slum society.
Being an attractive woman, Dotty draws the attentions of a prison
guard, who tries to blackmail her into submission.
She resists and is rescued by gang leader Willie nicknamed the Bear (Sanath)
who then dominates her and makes her his mistress.
The second half of the film deals with Willie who drags Dotty down to
the dregs of social life.
But, Dotty’s affection for her child and her determination to bring
him upto a decent life remains as strong as ever.
Subsequent events take a different turn, though.
Solomon returns home from jail and Dotty finally breaks free from
Willie. Spurned by Dotty Willie attempts to harm her, and in a masterful
scene of suspense, is killed by the son.
Noted film and international movie critic Donald Richie commenting on
‘Palams Yata’ states, thus.
“I was very impressed by Geetha Kumarasinghe’s performance in ‘Under
the Bridge’. Playing against type, she sacrificed her beauty as a star,
for her integrity as an actress. It is a brave performance, who will
show herself plainly and who will reveal to us an inner self. This she
richly did.”
(JK)
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