Sandesaya

Sandesaya
Sandesaya
Directed by	Lester James Peries
Written by	Lester James Peries; K. A. W. Perera; Benedict Dodampegama
Produced by	K. Gunaratnam
Starring	Ananda Jayaratne; Kanthi Gunatunga; Gamini Fonseka
Cinematography	William Blake
Edited by	Titus De Silva
Music by	R. Muttusamy
Release date	1960;
Running time	120 minutes
Country	Sri Lanka
Language	Sinhala

Sandesaya (Sinhalese language word meaning The Message) is a 1960 film. The film based on the war between the Sinhalese people and the Portuguese invaders in Sri Lanka. It was directed by Sri Lankan film director Lester James Peries. It was produced by K. Gunaratnam on behalf of the Cinemas Company on the request of Raj Kapoor.^[1]

Plot edit

A band of guerrillas led by Bandara (Ananda Jayaratne) lead a resistance against Portuguese invaders. Bandara is in love with Sumana (Kanthi Gunatunga).

Cast edit

Ananda Jayaratne as Bandara
Kanthi Gunatunga as Sumana
Gamini Fonseka as Dhamitha
David Dharmakeerthi as Disapathi Ekanayake 'Disawa'
Arthur Van Langenberg as Captain Antony Rodrigo
Vincent Vaas as Sandeshaya Carrier
Hugo Fernando as Vithana Rala
Eddie Jayamanne as Mamma
Shane Gunaratne as Sira
Iranganie Serasinghe as Yaso Hami
Bandu Gunasekara as Punchappu
Douglas Wickremasinghe as Mudaliwuna Malwana
Thilakasiri Fernando as Cart driver
Shanthi Lekha as Executed man's wife
N. R. Dias as Torturer
Chris Greet as Portuguese soldier
Jeevarani Kurukulasuriya as Executed man's daughter
Reg Van Culenberg as Portuguese soldier
Tissa Udangamuwa as Portuguese soldier
Anthony C. Perera as Town crier

Music edit

The music in the film was composed by R. Muttusamy, a pioneer in Sinhala music. Jothipala's Puruthugeesikaraya was a hit.^[2] The lyrics were composed by Arisen Ahubudu.^[3]