Even Lester James Peiris did not assume that "Rekava" will open up a whole new era in local film making . Lester after this made three films in sequence i.e "Golu Hadawatha", "Akkara Paha", and "Nidhanaya" for Ceylon Studios ( Then) The Cinema was born in 1875, according to historians , however its real claim to be taken seriously began in and around 1910 - 1915 that the first tentative steps were taken which assisted to make the cinema an independent form of artistic expression.
Now..... The story Rekava is set in rural SriLanka then Ceylon. The film starts with a tilt walker cum musician arriving in the village of Siriyala. He has with him a monkey who performs various antics for the amusement of the public. Two thugs of the village Siriyala try to rob him . Sena, a young boy from the village prevents the robbery . In gratitude , the tilt walker , who is also an accomplished palm reader , volunteers to read the boy's palm and predict the future . He says that Sena will become a famous healer and bring dignity to the village . It also occurs that one day , when Sena and his friend Anula are playing with a Kyte, Anula suddenly loses her eye sight . The village native doctor was unable to restore Anula's sight. Sena touches her eyes and miraculously Anula begins to see . As a result, Sena now gains a reputation in the village Siriyala as the boy with a magical touch . His father who is a felon , with the notorious money lender of the village, seek to exploit the situation for their monetary gains . They organize a healing campaign to impress the villagers . A rich land owner brings his son for treatment, but unfortunately , the boy dies. The villagers are outraged; they assume that it is Sena's fault . To make matters worse , the village of Siriyala undergoes a huge drought . However finally, Peace and tranquility return to the village of Siriyala. Many western based film critics in SriLanka found it to be a moving experience and a significant work of art. In most international film festivals such as Cannes, Edinburgh, Karlovy Vary this film was acclaimed and awarded. Music in this film is backed by the person who created an era in Sinhala Music , Late Mr. Sunil Santha . Lyrics were composed by Late Rev. Fr. Merciline Jayakody . Of which the songs are heard and praised even today and most probably in future generations as well. Sisira and Indrani Senaratne are the main vocalists. The next important land mark in the growth of Sinhalese Cinema is Lester James Peiris'"Gamperaliya"( Change of the village) made in 1965 based on the celebrated novel by the leading novelist of SriLanka Late Mr. Martin Wickramasinghe of Koggala Malalagama. Devaka S. Jayasuriya 90, Old Kesbawa Road Nugegoda
