| Welikathara වැලි කතර | |
|---|---|
 Gamini Fonseka as A. S. P. Randeniya in the climax scene of the film | |
| Directed by | D. B. Nihalsinghe |
| Written by | Tissa Abeysekera |
| Produced by | D. B. Nihalsinghe Swarnamali Gunatunge |
| Starring | Joe Abeywickrema Gamini Fonseka |
| Cinematography | D. B. Nihalsinghe |
| Music by | Somadasa Elvitigala |
Release date |
|
Running time | 118 minutes |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Language | Sinhala |
Welikathara (Sinhala, වැලි කතර), is a 1971 action thriller drama film made by Sri Lankan director D. B. Nihalsinghe. Screen play and script by Dr. Tissa Abeysekara. It is the maiden film directed by D. B. Nihalsingha.[1] The film stars Gamini Fonseka and Suvineetha Weerasinghe in lead roles along with Joe Abeywickrama, Piyasena Ahangama and Kithsiri Perera made supportive roles.[2]
Since Welikathara was the first film in CinemaScope in Sri Lanka, it faced many obstacles, first of which was the lack of access to cinemas capable of showing that format. (Most of them had been reserved for US films). This was solved by arranging a cross circuit release, combining cinemas in the three competing circuits at that time- another first.[2]
The film was a box office success as well as being critically appreciated, going on to be presented by a Sri Lankan Presidential Award as one of the Ten Best Sri Lankan films of all time.[3]
- ^ "All about the film "Welikathara"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
- ^ a b "Permission to see the king after 46 years". Silumina. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
- ^ "'Weli Kathara' returns to the screen". Lankadeepa. Retrieved 2021-01-23.