User reviews

Nidhanaya is generally considered to be the classic Sri Lankan film. Number I in most anyone's desert island collection of Lankan films. Lester James Peiris takes a powerful story and weaves a tapestry of wonderfully engaging images shot in austere black and white. It is bold film making from a person very much in command of his style and technique. Lester James Peiris was never again to reach such virtuosity in his stellar career.

A great ensemble cast, award winning script by Tissa Abeysekera, incredibly potent music from Premasiri Khemadasa and poetic cinematography by the under rated M.S. Anandan make this film a must watch.

Lester's "Nidhanaya " expanded the horizons of the Sri Lankan Cinema. Nidhanaya is a short story written by veteran G.B. Senanyake appearing in the book titled The Revenge. The Veteran Sinhalese script-writer Mr. Tissa Abeysekara must be credited for the unmatched script he has written for this irrespective of the shortcomings of the main source of G.B. Senanayake. "Shadow Shooting "was introduced to Sri Lankan Cinema by Nidhanaya. Gamini Fonseka's immense potential as an actor is depicted in this film. Nidhanaya is among the best 100 films among the world in accordance with an impartial survey done in year 2000. There are certain changes made by Tissa Abeysekara to the original source . In the Novel Villie Abeynaike ( Gamini Fonseka) meets the girl ( Malani Fonseka ) at a Railway Station. Whereas , in the film he meets the girl at the river's edge. Lester Peiris uses some unique symbols in the film such as the noise made by the peacock . Malani Fonseka's role here is regarded as an under play by film critics.Music in this film composed by famous music maestro Premasiri Khemadasa . He uses "Yak Beraya"( Devil drum) in certain stages in the film . Obeysekara mansion in Rajagiriya was used by Lester as Villie Abeynaike's house. It is disclosed that Villie has done an incantation to do away with his elder brother . Finally , Nidhanaya ( The Treasure) which was sought by Villie Abeynaike was the girl that he slaughters . Devaka S. Jayasuriya 90, Old Kesbawa Road Nugegoda Sri Lanka