english meepura
We know that Negombo is the cradle of Sinhala cinema, which began with a broken promise half a century ago. The only daughter of Mr. C. Khenzamin Fernando, who is considered the pioneer of the Mangala Drama Society that was formed before the formation of the Minerva Drama Society, and Mrs. Murin Wickramaratne, a former Tower Hall actress, we met Leena Fernando, a beautiful actress who shone in the cinema of the Sath Samudura, at her Bolawalana home.
Your full name is
Chakravarthige Mary Gertrude Leena Fernando
Upangama – Bolawalana
You went to school as a child
Santha Maria Vidyalaya. Today it is Bolawalana Maha Vidyalaya.
To give you a brief overview of your family…IMG 4394
My father is Master Khenzamin. He is no longer alive. On the night of December 31, 1991, we said goodbye to us and to art. Mother Myurin Wickramaratne. A former Tower Hall artist. Husband Shelton de Silva. Elder daughter Chandani de Silva. Son Chaminda de Silva. Younger daughter Shanika de Silva.
If you say that you entered cinema by inheriting your parents’ heritage?
You are right… Our fathers did dramas before Sinhala cinema was born in Negombo due to broken promises. My father was someone who dedicated himself to doing most of the dramas that were done under names like Mangala Natya Sabha and Minerva Sangamaya. People like B.W. Hugo Master, Kenneth Fernando, Mathayus Fernando, Therese Weerasinghe, Louis Rodrigue, Eddie Yapa were born in this era. With our fathers. My mother is a former Tower Hall actress.
So how did you first get involved in a film?
In those days, there was a gentleman in our church who loved art. He was Father Nicholas. He gathered the young men and women of the village and gave a Roman play. Since my father was also involved in this and because of the work of the church, I played the role of a Roman general in that play at the invitation of the father. Among the dignitaries who came to see this play, it was Dr. Linus Dissanayake, the producer of Sat Samudra, who invited me to act in the film Sat Samudra.
Can you recall a few films you have acted in?
Sat Samudra, directed by Professor Siri Gunasinghe, Robin Thampoge’s Dehadaka Dukhu, Pick Pocket. Also, Where Are You, Devi?, Cyclone, Thisa Hami
If you say that Sat Samudura made us see your unique talents
You are right. Even today, many people talk about the character of Wimala in Sat Samudura. In the 1967 film Sat Samudura directed by Siri Gunasinghe, she played the role of a defeated girlfriend opposite Cyril Wickrama.
Did she distance herself from art by playing unforgettable roles in a very limited number of films?
No, I do not. I do not distance myself from art. That is something that is in our lives. But I am not in films, teledrama, stage dramas. There are many reasons for that. I got married in 1974 and spent many years abroad with him. Then I came to Sri Lanka for the education of my children. Then I received many invitations to act. But I couldn’t leave my children alone. Now the situation is a little different. I have to rest now. I had an operation on my heart. By a miracle, by the power of God, I am living today. I am very relaxed and with my husband and children.
As an artist who has not distanced herself from art even after taking a break from acting, if I ask this, many artists accuse the film industry of collapsing with the advent of television. What do you say about that?
You can watch a teledrama without paying money. Movies can’t. That’s why the film industry has retreated. A lot of money is spent on making films. But the income is very low. That’s why films are not made. Even if they are made, they have to earn more income at a very low cost. That’s why unwatchable cuts are made and worthless films are made. These things affect not only the film industry, but also the film industry.
What do you think about the comedy films that are coming out now?
People are not that stupid. There are people who can enjoy it for just two hours. It’s not like jokes before. Back then, they didn’t say dirty words. People like Dong Sirisena, Antony C., Christy Leonard, Joe La used to say sarcastically and indirectly and make people laugh. Now a lot of people try to make people laugh. But many people laugh when they see those who do that.
As a mother of two young daughters, do you have any advice for new actresses?
When we were acting, we were shy and afraid. I remember like today when Ananda Jayaratne pulled my chair in the film Dehadaka Dukhu, I was very shy and afraid. Vijitha Mallika, Marx Samaranayake, Ashoka Ponnamperuma, Stanley Perera (Sabeetha’s father) acted with them. The people who are now are very ahead. They have been able to do any role without any hesitation. In our time, people do not lose their self-respect. There are a handful of people who are now. They are told to engage in acting with self-respect and self-respect. This is not an accusation. It is just a very loving reminder as a mother.
The beautiful actress Leena Fernando, who was born to dance, sing and act in Sinhala cinema back then, is now resting peacefully at home with her husband and children.
(Quoted from Mipura newspaper)
