"Pura Handa Kaluwara" (Death on a Full Moon Day) has been screened at the Alliance Française de Colombo the 14^th of February at the occasion of a "Festival of recent Sri Lankan Films". Previously, the jury of Amiens International Film Festival (France) which was held from the 5^th of November to the 14th of November 1999 honored this film by giving it the top prize. In a very sober manner, this film denounces the absurdity of war through the story of a blind old man who denies the death of his son.

Prasanna Vithanage, born in 1962, entered to the field of arts getting involved in theater. Particularly, he translated and directed some works of Bernard Shaw (1986) and Dario Fo (1991). He directed his first film Sisila Gini Gani (Ice on fire) in 1992 and from then won many national and international awards. Pura Handa Kaluwara is his fourth realization.

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Maestro Khemadasa celebrates his 64th birthday.

Maestro Kalakeerthi Premasiri Khemadasa, one of the most talented Sri Lankan musicians with a vast knowledge of theory and practice in both the Eastern and Western musical domains, celebrated his 64th birthday on January 25. Three films, "Nidhanaya" and "Golu Hadawatha" directed by Lester James Peiris, and "Bambaru Avith" directed by Dharmasena Pathiraja, for which music was composed by Premasiri Khemadasa and acclaimed as landmarks in the history of local film music, were screened at the Elphinstone Theatre, Maradana on January 25 under the patronage of Dr. Lester James Peiris, Mrs. Sumithra Peiris and Dharmasena Pathiraja to mark this event. "Khemadasa in Concert" organized by the "Khemadasa Foundation" depicting the famous music interludes from the landmark films and also the new opera named "Sama", and cello music items were also staged in the same venue on January 26 at 6.30 p.m. At this colorful evening, the Sri Lankan music lovers had the rare opportunity to be comforted by a handful of water from the ocean of Premasiri Khemadasa's unique musique, so did we, Suriyakantha. At 6.30 p.m. the entrance of the Elphinston Theatre was full of people who were waiting for the concert. As soon as the doors were opened, the whole theatre was fully packed and there were many more who were standing without getting a seat. But even they had prepared themselves not to lose this golden opportunity and they stayed untill the show ended without feeling any uncomfort. The students who had been lucky enough to study music in the Foundation under the guidance of Premasiri Khemadasa, showed their colours at their best throughout the show. After the last item of the show, the well wishers rushed to the stage to wish a happy birthday to their beloved musician, maestro Khemadasa. "Suriyakantha" also wishes maestro Khemadasa a very happy birthday and long life. Suriyakantha

Born on January 25, 1937 at Talpitiya, Wadduwa, Khemadasa was educated at Sri Sumangala Vidyalaya and St. John's College, Panadura. Having a habit of playing the flute, later he joined the Radio Ceylon Orchestra as a flutist. His first film to compose music was "Rodi Kella" directed by Sirisena Wimalaweera. But the turning point of his career was when he composed music for the film "Sanasuma Kothanada" directed by K.A.W. Perera. Khemadasa says that even he himself cannot remember the number of the films for which he has composed music, but it may be 150. "I can still remember what Karangia, a famous woman critic in India, wrote in her column in the Times of India after seeing the film "Golu Hadawatha" had said Khemadasa to the Sunday Observer, 21st January 2001. "This will be a guideline to our music directors in India" she had stated in her article in 1968. "The public will also get the opportunity of viewing my new opera "Sama" (Peace) in April this year. I am always trying to do something new and my new creations will be released shortly" he quips. "But, now I have dedicated myself to groom the talented music students for the country. For the past seven years, I have done this on a voluntary basis. Most of these students are from the low income group families in remote areas and my prime objective is to see them reach the international standard", he concluded. Spanning over 40 years as a music composer and conductor in applied music, film music, theatre music, tele-drama music, classical music, symphony and cantata, the "Master" has proved his prowess in the respective fields .

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