Veteran Filmmaker Sena Samarasinghe Passes Away

COLOMBO (News1st): Sena Samarasinghe, the veteran film director, who ushered in a "golden era" for local cinema, passed away this morning.

Considered a pioneer of popular Sri Lankan cinema, he was 89 years old at the time of his passing.

Born as Nandasena Samarasinghe on November 25, 1937, in the village of Randeniya, Kegalle, he later became a popular name in the world of arts as Sena Samarasinghe. 

Samarasinghe was an alumnus of St. Thomas' College, Gurutalawa, Bandarawela.

His cinematic journey began in 1973 when he co-produced the film Sadahatama Oba Mage alongside Milton Jayawardena. 

In 1974, he made his directorial debut with the blockbuster hit Kasthuri Suwanda. 

Sena Samarasinghe bid farewell to his career in film direction following the release of his movie Bambara Kalapaya.