Bala Sitiya da? (Have you been waiting?)
Bala Sitiya da? (Have you been waiting?) 2015 - Teaser 1
‘Have You Been Waiting?’ portrays a multifaceted view of university life in Sri Lanka. The film takes a critical, honest, and humane look at common problems, conflicts, and tragic realities of university life while analyzing interrelations between students, academic staff, and governing bodies. The film approaches these themes from socioeconomic and political viewpoints to dissect the subject matter in detail. I used various experiences and insights gathered during my time as a student (4 years) and a lecturer (2 years) to write the screenplay.
The film was my final production with my last batch of students at the university. The decision to make this film followed my choice to give up my rather problematic career as a lecturer at the university and focus on a different path. My students’ enthusiasm allowed me to disregard persistent opposition from the university academia. Their enthusiasm was such that they organized various projects to raise capital for production purposes and even conducted donation programs within and outside the campus. Vihayas Productions and Icon Rain Productions sponsored the production.
Bala Sitiya da? (Have you been waiting?) 2015 - Teaser 2
We filmed almost 90 percent of the scenes within the campus grounds, especially at student hostels. Film production ran parallel to the academic work of my students, and they were involved in all aspects of production from project supervision, directing, directing photography, and editing. I assigned production responsibilities to different teams. We used both veteran actors and amateurs in the film.
We first screened the film in January 2015 at the University of Kelaniya and the Ragama Faculty of Medicine in 2015.
Bala Sitiya da? (Have you been waiting?) 2015 - Teaser 3
Theme Song
Heena Hoyaagena - Bala Sitiya da? (Have you been waiting?) 2015 - Theme Song
Screenshots
Credits
Main Cast
Akhila Sapumal / Buddhika Dhamayantha / Sajitha Anthony / Manoj Prasanna / Sachintha Dissanayake / Lahiru Buddhika / Upekha Amapani / Sasitha Senanayake / Lakshman Fernando / Yasantha Budhdhika / Vipuli Darshika Nishshanka / Udumbara Samarakoon / Nishadi Kanchana / Neranjan Hettiarachchi / Dilshan Thilakshana
Co-Directors – Prasad Aluthwattha/Thilina Fernando Cinematography – Shanaka Kalhan/Prasad Aluthwattha
Editor – Shanaka Kalhan/Prasad Aluthwattha Music – Amith Guru Screenplay – Prasad Aluthwattha
Production Supervisor – Prasad Aluthwattha Camera Asst. – Maduranga Nuwan / Chaminda Kumara / Ranjith Kumara
Boom Operator – Suraweera Bandara / Ranjith Kumara Make-Up & Costume – Nipuni Nidarsha / Malika Dayarathne / Sachini Perera
Script Writing – Maduranga Nuwan / Chathurangi Madushani / Uththara Sapurnika / Thilina Fernando
Art Department – Chathura Madhushan / Dinusha Lakmali / Dilini Sugandhika / Bagya Dasanayake
Production Manager – Prasanna Herath Asst. Directors – Malika Dayarathne / Nipuni Nidharsha
Line Producer – Madhumali Priyangika Lighting – Kasun Abenayake / Nuwan Srilal
Continuity – Maheema Weerasinghe / Chathurangi Madushani
Theme Song Vocals – Damith Hapangama Lyrics – Rasanga Lakmal
Produced by – 2014 Image Art General Degree Students/VIHAYAS Productions/Image Art Unit – University of Kelaniya
