A ceremony to felicitate veteran Sri Lankan artistes now domiciled in the United Kingdom was held last Sunday in London. The event, Avarjana, took place at the White Hill Centre in Chesham and was organised single-handedly by Mudith de Silva, with support from Jayantha Sarath Kumara.

The artistes honoured at the ceremony were Punya Heendeniya, Gamini Abeysinghe, Wimal Alahakoon, Lilani Perera, Anoma Wattaladeniya, Sriyani Fonseka and Kamalangani Perusinghe.

Punya Heendeniya, a student of the renowned Panibaratha, played the lead role in his ballet Ditti Mangalika. She made her film debut as Katherina in Deiyange Rate. She went on to perform in several acclaimed films, including Sri 296, Suneetha, Kurulu Bedda, Sikuru Tharuwa, Gamperaliya, Para Sathu Mal, Ran Salu, Ranwan Karal and Kaliyugaya.

Actor Gamini Abeysinghe made his debut in Daskam and later appeared in nine films, among them Sudu Pareviyo, Sangeetha, Sinawai Inawai and Hadwathaka Wasanthya. After moving to England in 1975, he produced several stage plays, including Kelani Palama and Bodinkarayo, and also directed and acted in a number of television dramas. He is married to dancer Kamalangani Perusinghe.

Kamalangani Perusinghe, also a student of Panibaratha, became a respected dance teacher and was the first to establish a Sri Lankan dance academy in London. She trained numerous dancers and had the rare honour of performing with her students at Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Wimal Alahakoon, a chartered engineer by profession, entered the arts through Sudath Rohana’s teledrama Ira Batu Tharuwa. He later won a Sumathi Award for his performance in Rodney Vidanapathirana’s Hemanthaye Wasanthayak. Alahakoon produced and acted in several films and teledramas, including Ayomi, Keera Kotuwe Gedara, Maw Senehasa and Ira Sewaya.

Anoma Wattaladeniya was selected for the lead role in Lester James Peries’ Akkara Paha while still a schoolgirl. She also appeared in Reyatha Dawalath and Geetha, and later worked as a newscaster and producer at the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation before relocating to the UK.

Lilani Perera, a nurse by profession, first gained fame as a radio artiste, most notably for her portrayal of Gomari in the popular radio drama Muwanpalessa. She also performed in Monarathenna, Vajira, Handiyegedara, Guwan Viduli Rangamadala and Adara Katha, among others. After moving to England in the 1980s, she acted in Rata Giya Ettho, the first teledrama filmed in the UK, and later produced and performed in several other productions, including Ira Bata Tharuwa, Monalisa, Hemanthaye Wasanthayak, Paradeesaya, Thisara Thotupala, London Bridge and Yathra.

Sriyani Fonseka, sister of Sri Lankan cinema icon Malini Fonseka, acted in more than 20 films before moving to England. Her notable appearances include roles in Anusha, Jodu Walalu, Punchi Baba, Nedeyo, Sudu Parewiyo and Wasanthaye Davasak.

The evening also featured performances by the Hela Kala Dance and Theatre Group led by Maduka Ferdinad, with vocal contributions from Prashan Deepthikumara, Jagath Jayasinghe, Wachintha Jayasooriya, Madhi Karunarathne and Dhanusha Samanmalee. The event was compered by Sajith Wathsala

By Sujeeva Nivunhella in London ✍️