Ammawarune

Ammawarune Sinhala Film
Ammawarune is an emotional tale which analyses a strong relationship between a mother and a son. The son is a monk and this makes the relationship complex and intriguing. Thus the film runs along a universal theme. Yet it is innovatice and inspiring and "Ammawarune" is sure to make a strong impact on Sri Lankan audience and filmmaking history.


A scene from the movie
"In addition to this emotional tale I'm also portraying the psychological effect of war on society," says the director. Lester has used non-linier editing system and he says "Starting with a silent film, I have been working with different developments introduced into the world of cinema,".

"Editing Ammawarune with Ravi (Ravindra Guruge) I was just thinking how easy and physically time conserving this tremendous development is to cinema,".

"Up to my last film 'Wekanda Walawwa' I was working with linier system and I now see that there is vast technological development in the field of cinema" says Dr. Peries.

Somaweera Senanayake is a veteran scriptwriter specialising in stories related to Buddhist philosophy has written the script for 'Ammawarune'.

Shooting on locations in Dambulla during the hottest season of the year-March and April was a tiresome job. Dr. Peries and his crew filming the temples necessary for the development of the film had to climb many a burning rock to achieve their objectives.
"I really appreciate the privilege of working with such a devoted and untiring crew who made every effort to help me making it a successful project," said Dr. Peries thanking his team.

The Elegy for a mother

Production Credits
Silumina Films - Production Company
Jagath Wijenayake - Producer
Lester James Peries - Director
Sumitra Peries - Creative Associate Lester James Peries
Somaweera Senanayake - Story
Somaweera Senanayake - Screenplay
Premasiri Khemadasa - Music Director
Buddhist Chant - Pandit W. D. Amaradeva
KA Dharmasena - Photography
Upali Perera - Assistant Director
Ravindra Guruge - Editor
Mani Mendis - Art Director
Sarath Wijesekara - Production Manager
Ranjit Rubasinghe - 2nd Assistant Director
Hernantha Garnage - Make Up
Kalinga Perera - Sound
Wimalasiri Gamage - Music Recordist
Janak Mayadunne - Still Photographer
Chandima Ranatunge - Production Secretary
Surnitra Ekanayake - 3rd Assistant Director
Madura Prageeth Konara - Production Co-ordinator

Malani Fonseka - Sumanawathi (Mother)
Roshan Pilapitiya - Saliya (Younger Son)
Pradeep Dharmadasa - Buddhist Priest Kassapa (Elder son)
Gayani Gisanthica - Premalatha (Daughter)
Asoka de Zoysa - Ranbanda (Son-in-law)
Sanath Gunatilleka - Doctor (Village Hospital)
Tissa Abeysekara - Buddhist Priest Rathanapala (Chief Priest)
Douglas Ranasinghe-Divisional Secretary (Divisional Secretariat)
Manjula Kumari - Sunanda-(Relative)
Daya Tennekoon - Appuhamy- (Temple)
Sarath Kotalawela -Shell Shocked Soldier