Hemasiri Sellapperuma
හේමසිරි සෙල්ලප්පෙරුම
Born
Hemasiri Sellapperuma

25 October
Panadura, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationSt. Anthony's College, Panadura
Occupation(s)Director, producer, screen writer, editor, art director
Years active1978–2015
Website[www.hemasiri.com]

Hemasiri Sellapperuma (born 25 October: Sinhala: හේමසිරි සෙල්ලප්පෙරුම), is a Sri Lankan screenplay writer, editor and filmmaker in Sri Lankan cinema.[1] He is a prolific director who directed the second most films in Sri Lankan cinema with thirty-six films in various genres.[2]

Personal life

He completed education from St. Anthony's College, Panadura. During school, he achieved a medal of Queen as a Scout. He is also the chairman of the Lions club in Egodawatta. In addition to that, he is also a Justice in Peace.[3]

His cousin son Rajitha Hiran is also a renowned comedy artist.[4]

Career

While in the school, he worked as an editor at the institute of Serendib. He first directed a short film Saara Poro Jelivet.[5] After completing education, he joined with his mentor, Consistence Cooray. He is first person to produce films for children in Sri Lanka. Under Consistence, Sellapperuma worked as an assistant director for his films such as: Samaja Sevaya, Gami Kolla and Asaranaya.[3]

Later he worked as an assistant editor in the film Punchi Baba saha Nari Latha directed by Tissa Liyanasooriya. Then he joined with K. A. W. Perera and worked as an assistant director in several films including: Bicycle Hora, Seeye Nottuwa, Kathuru Muwath, Aparadhaya Saha Daduwama and Lokuma Hinawa.[5] Meanwhile, he passed the written examination to register as a director and editor in National Film Co-operation by directing the film Sara Polowa Jaya Bimai.[3]

In 1981, he made his debut cinema direction with the black and white film Jeewanthi. After the success of the film, he made the second film Sathweni Davasa which became a blockbuster of that year.[6] In 1982, at the Malaysian Film Festival, the film won the Golden award for the Best Commercial Film in the Asia.[3] In 1989, he made the blockbuster film Nommara 17.[7] The film broke several commercial records, where the film screened record 210 days at the 'National' cinema hall in Maharagama as well as screened in the opening cinemas for 200 days. However, before the screening, the lead actor Vijaya Kumaranatunga was assassinted. There was a big uproar in the cinema halls during the screening of the film. People were at queue at cinema halls from 8 am to witness Vijaya's last film. There have even been stabbing incidents recorded in 'Gemunu' and 'Manel' cinema theaters as well.[8] In 18th Sarasaviya Awards in 1990, Nommara 17 won the award for the Most Famous Film with 40,535 votes.[9]

He was honored with the 'Kala Jothi' Award as well.[3] In 2015, he directed his last film Sanjaana.[2]

Filmography

Year Film Roles Ref.
1981 Jewanthi Director, Screenwriter, Film Editor, Art Director
1981 Sathweni Dawasa Director, Film Editor
1983 Senehasaka Kandulu Director, Technical Advisor
1988 Chandingeth Chandiya Director, Producer
1988 Newa Gilunath Ban Chun Director [10]
1989 Nommara 17 Director
1991 Uthura Dakuna Director, Screenwriter [11]
1991 Asai Bayai Director
1991 Love In Bangkok Director, Screenwriter
1991 Salambak Handai Director, Screenwriter
1992 Bajar Eke Chandiya Director
1992 Sakkara Suththara Director, Screenwriter
1992 Malsara Doni Director
1992 Sinha Raja Director, Screenwriter
1992 Kiyala Wadak Na Director, Screenwriter
1993 Sandareka Director, Screenwriter [12]
1993 Lagin Giyoth Ehek Na Director
1993 Sura Veera Chandiyo Director
1994 Rajawansen Ekek Director, Screenwriter
1994 Abhiyogaya Director
1994 Nohadan Landune Director
1994 Okkoma Hondatai Director, Screenwriter
1994 Hello My Darling Director, Screenwriter
1995 Pudumai Eth Aththai Director
1995 Vairayen Vairaya Director
1996 Manamohini Director, Screenwriter
1996 Hiru Sanduta Madivi Director
1996 Mal Hathai Director, Screenwriter
1997 Surayo Wadakarayo Director, Screenwriter [13]
1999 Ayadimi Sama Director, Screenwriter
2000 Danduwama Director, Screenwriter [14]
2001 Oba Koheda Priye Director [15]
2003 Vala In London Director, Screenwriter
2008 Duplicate Director [16]
2015 Sanjaana Director, Screenwriter [17]

References

  1. ^ "Hemasiri Sellapperuma films". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  2. ^ a b "Box office film director Hemasiri Sellapperuma with the Sarasaviya after long time". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Hemasiri Sellapperuma". Digital Identity of Sinhala Cinema. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  4. ^ "Actor Rajitha Hiran with Sithmalyaya". Sithmalyaya. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  5. ^ a b "After some time with Hemasiri Sellapperuma". Divaina. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  6. ^ "Editing left and Direction first". Deshaya. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  7. ^ "Who are the directors who have made the most films?". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  8. ^ "Vijaya was labeled No. 17". Mawrata News. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  9. ^ "Nommara 17 - නොම්මර 17". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  10. ^ "Sinhala Movie Description 169". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  11. ^ "Sinhala Movie Description 180". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  12. ^ "Movies that were screened in Sinhala cinema then and now". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  13. ^ "Movies that were screened in Sinhala cinema then and now". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  14. ^ "Detailed information about movies". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  15. ^ "'Oba Koheda Priye': Story of deceit and intrigue". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  16. ^ "Hemasiri starts to 'Duplicate'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  17. ^ "Sellapperuma's 'Sanjana' on the Rhythm Board from the 18th". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-05-12.

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