Daya Wimalaweera

Daya Wimalaweera (born 11 December 1937 – died 12 August 2019 as දයා විමලවීර) [Sinhala]), was a director in Sri Lankan cinema and stage drama. He was also a cinematographer, producer, screenwriter and editor.

Personal life Daya Wimalaweera was born on 11 December 1937 in Grandpass, Colombo as the third child of the family. His father Sirisena Wimalaweera was a renowned lyricist, screenwriter, producer and filmmaker in Sinhala cinema. His father made many critically acclaimed films in early cinema including Amma, Saradiel, Asoka, Sirakaruwa and Wana Mala. He died on August 24, 1963, at the age of 62.

Daya was educated at St. Joseph's College, Colombo followed by Terence Rajapakse College, Kolonnawa and later Alexandra College, Colombo. He was a bright student at the school, hence his father thought that he would be a doctor one day. However he refused to study medicine and followed in his father's footsteps. However, his father was upset about his work and Daya was joined to his newly established "Nawajeewana" film studio which was established on 13 September 1951. After the iron soldering work at studio, Daya had to work as an assistant laboratory technician and after that in the editing room. His body was kept at his residence at 154 A, Anderson Road, Dehiwala. Funeral took place on 14 August 2019 at Nedimala Public Cemetery.

Career During his work at father's new studio, he started to learn editing, lighting and cinematography. His first cinematography teacher was Paul Matthias, the first photographer of the "Nawajeewana" film studio. Prior to that, Matthias was the camera operator of the famous Indian filmmaker Mehboob. After few years, Daya started camera direction of W.A.B. de Silva, who was the first Sri Lankan cameraman in Sinhala cinema. He first handled camera in the film Rodi Kella, even though prior to completing the shooting, his father died. Shortly thereafter, he lost the ownership of "Nawajeewana" film studio. His maiden camera direction was in 1965 film Adarayay Karunawai directed by Ananda Jayaratne, but first screened film was Patchara in 1964. He was also the cameraman in the original Tamil language film, Thottakkari. He was the cinematographer in every film he directed except Raja Daruwo. His film Pahai Hathalis Paha was never screened. He becomes one of the most popular filmmakers of the era when the film industry is in a downturn. The dialogue of original 1953 film Sujatha was written by his father. In the re-creation of the film by Daya in 1994, he re-filmed his father's song, Narilatha Pushpe. His 2002 film Seethala Gini Kandu also included a song composed by his father. His 1990 film Madhu Sihina was the last film acted by popular actor Vijaya Kumaratunga. Kumaratunga was assassinated on his way to Colombo after filming. In addition to his directing, he also provided cinematography and lighting for feature films such as Madhu Sihina and Mihidum Sihina.

Filmography

Year Film Roles Ref. 1958 Ekamath Eka Rataka Assistant cinematographer 1962 Rodi Kella never screened 1964 Patachara Cinematographer 1964 Thottakkari Cinematographer 1965 Adarayay Karunawai Cinematographer 1967 Iwasana Danaa Cinematographer 1967 Asikkarai Nambukkarai Cinematographer 1968 Mathru Bhoomi Cinematographer 1971 Kalana Mithuro Cinematographer 1972 Veeduru Gewal Director, cinematographer, screenwriter 1972 Miringuwa Cinematographer 1975 Sikuruliya Cinematographer 1976 Harima Badu Thunak Cinematographer 1977 Yali Ipade Cinematographer 1979 Hari Pudumai Cinematographer 1979 Jeewana Kandulu Director, cinematographer 1980 Anuhasa Cinematographer 1982 Mihidum Sihina Director, cinematographer 1982 Major Sir Director, cinematographer 1984 Parasathuro Cinematographer 1986 Devduwa Director, cinematographer 1990 Madhu Sihina Director, cinematographer 1992 Raja Daruwo Director 1993 Chaya Director, cinematographer 1993 Bambasara Bisaw Director, cinematographer, screenwriter 1994 Sujatha Director, cinematographer, Film Editor 2002 Seethala Gini Kandu Director, producer, cinematographer, screenwriter 2006 Rana Hansi Director, cinematographer, screenwriter