Lalith Rathnayake’s Riverstone has been selected as Sri Lanka’s official entry in the International Feature Film category of the 99th Academy Awards, National Film Corporation Chairman Sudath Mahaadivulwewa announced at a media briefing today.
Mahaadivulwewa who also serves at the Chairman of the National Oscar Selection Committee for Sri Lanka, said the selection was made under a newly regulated process in which the Academy’s requirements include approval of the local selection committee and consideration of the professional qualifications of its members.
“This is the first time a film that has been selected through such a mechanism will represent Sri Lanka,” he said.
The National Oscars Selection Committee comprised veterans of the industry including filmmakers Asoka Handagama, Ravindra Guruge, Anoma Rajakaruna, Visakesa Chandrasekaram, film critic Aruna Gunarathne, musician Lakshman Joseph De Saram and film festival coordinator Uditha Lakmal Kahandawaarachchi.
Six films — five Sinhala-language films and one Tamil-language film — were considered by the committee.
They were:
- Vihanga Premaya (Peacock Lament), produced and directed by Sanjeeva Pushpakumara.
- Ayu, directed by Chathra Weeraman and produced by Yasas Rathnayake.
- Father, produced by Shantha Geethadeva and directed by Chaminda Jayasuriya.
- Anthony, produced by Ramandas Suganthini and Ramandas Sathyaraja and directed by Sukirthan Christhuraja and Jenosan Rajeswar.
- Riverstone, produced by Prabath Roshan and Nimanthi Porage and directed by Lalith Rathnayake.
- Cricket Sadu, directed by Dilshara Jayamanna and produced by Rasitha Jinasena.
The committee said four of the six films met the eligibility requirements under the Academy’s rules.
Riverstone and Father were subsequently selected as the two finalists before Riverstone was chosen as Sri Lanka’s official submission for the 99th Academy Awards. (Newswire)