Vasantha Obeysekera, a veteran film director, passed away this (8th April) morning at the age of 80 years. He was admitted to a private hospital in Colombo following a brief illness.
Obeysekara had received many awards in the Best Director category.
He entered the world of film as a co-scriptwriter and assistant director of ‘Sath Samudura’ in 1967. His first film was ‘Wes Gaththo’ in 1970, based on the 1955 English movie ‘We are No Angels’.
His portfolio includes titles such as Walmath Woowo (1976), Diyamanthi (1976), Palangetiyo (1979), Dadayama (1984) Kadapathaka Chaya (1989), Maruthaya (1995), Dorakada Marawa (1998), Theertha Yathra (1999) Salelu Warama (2002), Asani Warsha (2005), Sewwandi (2006) and Aganthukaya (2007).
He graduated from the University of Ceylon in 1962. He also among the editorial staff of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited from 1964 to 1970. He studied film in France.
