‘Ehelepola Kumarihamy’ has a shot with president!
- Monday, 04 August 2014
Monday, 04 August 2014
A special screening of ‘Ehelepola Kumarihamy’ for the president took place recently at Temple Trees with the director, producer, cast and artiste friends of the president in attendance.
After watching the film that lasted nearly 2 ½ hours, the president threw a liquor party at a separate hall at Temple Trees in violation of his ‘Mathata Thitha’ policy in Mahinda Chinthanaya. Delighted by the liquor party, the film’s director Sugath Samarakoon and producer Gayan Ranadheera have become talkative, and director Samarakoon complained to the president that he was facing numerous issues with regard to the screening of ‘Ehelepola Kumarihamy.’
He said that on a recommendation by media minister Keheliya Rambukwella, he had made 60 copies of the film, but that Film Corporation chairman Asoka Serasinghe has given approval for 35 copies only, although the Corporation has approved 55 copies of ‘Ranja’, produced by Sunil T. Fernando to promote UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake.
In a kick after several glasses of wine, the president immediately telephoned Serasinghe, severely reprimanded him for having assisted in promoting Ranjan Ramanayake while disregarding friends of the government, told him to meet him on the following morning, bringing along his resignation letter with him, and disconnected the line in anger.
“Serasinghe says approval was given to you for 35 copies only. Also that you held the Muhurath Festival after the Film Corporation took that decision. Do you have any document to prove that the Corporation took the 35 copies decision before that?” asked the president.
Producer Ranadheera’s reply was that they do not have any document to prove that, but that this was a giant creation that cost millions of rupees.
Angered further by that reply, the president said, “Is this a giant one? I don’t see anything of the sort.” Taking leave of them for a few minutes, the president returned and said, “I say, see what you have done. With the way I had scolded him, don’t know whether that man had got a heart attack. Now, you prepare some fake documents and bring them to me.”
Seeing that the ‘Ehelepola Kumarihamy’ team was perplexed by his suggestion, the president started relating a different story in order to mollify them.
“Now see. That Somey has a new fancy. During Chandrika’s time, he was not taken note of at all. Until his younger brother was made the Navy commander, he and his wife came after me singing my praises, visited our home until his films were screened. Now, he is saying that the government will be made to change if the 35 copies policy is not changed. I will show them how to change the government.”
But, none of those present said a word, thinking among themselves that if the president now thinks in that manner about Somaratne Dissanayake and Renuka Balasuriya after they had denuded themselves to promote the government, what their fate would be.
Following the president’s order, Film Corporation chairman Serasinghe had gone to Temple Trees early next morning and pointed out to the president that work on ‘Ehelepola Kumarihamy’ began after the Corporation implemented the 35 copies policy. However, on a special request by the president, he agreed to approve 45 copies for the film. The most hilarious instance of this incident came when the president had inquired from Serasinghe as to why he had come to meet him. While leaving Temple Trees, Serasinghe has told an official there that he has not seen a sensitive person like the president although he raises his voice after having a few glasses of wine.
