Veera Puran Appu (film)

Veera Puran Appu
වීර පුරන් අප්පු
Veera Puran Appu ; වීර පුරන් අප්පු
Directed by	Lester James Peries
Written by	Tissa Abeysekara
Based on	Life of Veera Puran Appu
Produced by	Shalanka Films
Starring	Ravindra Randeniya ; Joe Abeywickrama; Malani Fonseka
Cinematography	Donald Karunaratne
Edited by	Gladwin Fernando
Music by	Premasiri Khemadasa
Release date	8 August 1978;
Country	Sri Lanka
Language	Sinhala

Veera Puran Appu (Sinhala: වීර පුරන් අප්පු) is a 1978 Sri Lankan Sinhala epic biographical film directed by Lester James Peries and produced by former cabinet minister Tyronne Fernando for Shalanka Films.^[1] It stars Ravindra Randeniya and Joe Abeywickrama in lead roles along with Malani Fonseka and Tissa Abeysekara. Music composed by Premasiri Khemadasa.^[2]^[3] It is the 399th Sri Lankan film in the Sinhala cinema.^[4]

The film screened in 17 cinemas in the fifth board. The film completed box office 100 days at the Webley Cinema Hall, Kandy. In the film, it is noted that more than 1,500 actors contributed to the success of the film.^[5] In 1979 SIGNIS Awards ceremony, Tissa Abeysekara was awarded the memorial award for his role as Kudapola Thero.^[2]

Plot

The film centered around the story behind national patriot Veera Puran Appu and his Matale rebellion in 1848 for the freedom from British. Though he was executed by the British by firing squad, his influence to the country's independence has been highly praised and thus Puran Appu is highlighted as a national hero of the Sri Lankan history.^[6]

Cast

Ravindra Randeniya as Puran Appu 'Francisco Fernando'
Malini Fonseka as Bandara Menike
Tissa Abeysekera as Ven. Kudapola Sri Rahula Thero
Joe Abeywickrama as Gongalegoda Banda 'King David'
Sriyani Amarasena as Kuda Manike 'Kumarihamy'
Dharmasiri Bandaranayake as Punchi Rala
Robin Fernando as Hanguranketha Dingirala
David Dharmakeerthi as Gunnepana Arachchi
Somasiri Dehipitiya as Puran Appu's brother
Basil de Seram as British gunman
Jean-Pierre Hautin as Captain Neville Watson
Alfred Berry as Government Agent Bullen
John Burgess as Governor Torrington
David Thackeray as Sir Emerson Tennent
Elson Divithurugama as Village crier
Vincent Vaas as Cruel Master
Cletus Mendis as one of Puran Appu's soldiers
Buddhadasa Vithanarachchi as Rebel
Wilson Karunaratne as Rebel
Granville Rodrigo as Rebel
B. S. Perera

Songs

No.	Title	Lyrics	Singer(s)
1.	"Sakala Sarin Piri Siri Lankawe"	Parakrama Kodithuwakku	Sunil Edirisinghe
2.	"Gambhira Thedati Constantinu"		Sunil Edirisinghe
3.	"Jaya Apatai Lankawe"	Arisen Ahubudu	Abeywardena Balasuriya, Sunil Edirisinghe, Ivor Dennis, Dharmasiri
4.	"Sinhalayo Api Sinhalayo"	Arisen Ahubudu	Abeywardena Balasuriya, Sunil Edirisinghe, Ivor Dennis, Dharmasiri
5.	"Batha Ka Iwarai"	Parakrama Kodithuwakku	Sunil Edirisinghe
6.	"Jathiya Wenuwen (poem)"		W. D. Amaradeva