Bambaru Avith

Bambaru Avith
Vijay Kumaratunge in a scene from the film
Directed by	Dharmasena Pathiraja
Produced by	Saranga Sahru Nirmane
Starring	Malini Fonseka Vijaya Kumaratunga Joe Abeywickrema
Music by	Premasiri Khemadasa
Release date	1978
Running time	110 mins
Country	Sri Lanka
Language	Sinhala

Bambaru Avith (Sinhala, The Wasps are Here) is a 1978 dramatic film made by Sri Lankan director Dharmasena Pathiraja. It explores tradition and exploitation following the introduction of capitalism to a tiny fishing village and the subsequent clash between the local boss and the urban outsider.

Plot

The film is set in a fishing village. Anton Aiya is an exploiter who outwardly resembles and acts like a regular fisherman. He feeds off the other fishermen. Into this setting arrives members of the urban entrepreneurial youth. They have adapted to Western Culture, dressing like Westerners and preferring Western music.

Conflict arises between Anton Aiya and Baby Mahattaya (Victor), a representative of the urban youth. A middle-class leftist Weerasena is also of this group. The arrival of these youths has clearly caused a social crisis requiring a solution and all Weerasena can do is stand on a platform and deliver a speech that no one listens to. He finally leaves for the city.

Cast

Actor	Role
Joe Abeywickrema	Anton Aiya
Vijaya Kumaratunga	Victor, Baby Mahattaya
Wimal Kumara de Costa	Weerasena
Malini Fonseka	Helen
Ruby de Mel	Helen's mother
Amarasiri Kalansuriya	Friend
Daya Tennekoon	Francis
Cyril Wickramage	Cyril

Music

Premasiri Khemadasa composed the music for the film. The two main songs are "Udumbara" and "Handunagathoth Oba Ma."

Awards and nominations

• Sri Lankan representative at 1978 Moscow International Film Festival
• Screened at Mostra and Los Angeles Film Festivals
• Presidential awards for the Best Film and Best Director - 1979
• OCIC awards for Best Film and Best Director - 1979
• Named the fourth Best Sri Lankan Film of the first 50 years by a Presidential council