Dr Namel Weeramuni’s Timeless Journey:
Dr. Namel Weeramuni, the veteran playwright, author, and actor, needs no introduction to Sri Lankan art lovers, artistes, and scholars. The former represents a breed of artistes who emerged from Peradeniya University, which was a haven for artistes nurtured by the late Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra.
Dr. Weeramuni’s mesmerizing performances on stage and in the 70s’ decade’s Sinhala films captivated the attention of theater lovers and filmgoers. Plays such as Nattukkari, Golu Birinda, Maadhyawediyekuge Asipatha, The Dictator, and Seethabilashaya became noteworthy pieces of art created by him. His memorable performances in the Sinhala films Walmathvuvo, Wesgaththo, and Haralakse still linger in people’s minds. Books authored by him are read by veterans and scholars, let alone his fans.
‘Rata Giya Eththo,’ a tele-film produced by Dr. Weeramuni and his beloved wife and soulmate Malini Weeramuni, while living in England for a significant period, became immensely popular among Sri Lankan television audiences.
Dr. Weeramuni is the brainchild of Punchi Theater, Borella, now being loved and frequented by stage drama lovers. Subsequent to a highly successful career as an attorney in London for three decades, Dr. Weeramuni returned to the country with his wife in 2002 to set up Namel Malini Punchi Theatre, which had been their dream. Seeing a stage drama at Punchi Theater is like comfortably witnessing one being shown in your own drawing room.
While Dr. Weeramuni is widely respected for his contributions to the Sri Lankan theater and cinema, he is known as a multilingual author with substance as well, who published his autobiography, ‘Sailed I on Life- Like a Lark in the Sky,’ in 2014.
At the age of 89, this graceful gentleman is still engaging in his writing work and authoring novels. His latest novel ‘Two Cousins’ and collection of short stories ‘Bharyawagen Liyamanak’ (A Letter from My Wife) came into bookshelves in 2023 and 2024 as Godage Publications.
‘Two Cousins’ is a mind-blowing novel that revolves around the conflicts encountered by those who lived in post-independence Sri Lanka. Aditha Dissanayake, who edited the book, says, “This book makes a significant contribution not only to Sri Lankan English literature but also to the general field of mid-20th century Sri Lankan society.” ‘Two Cousins’ thus has all the attributes of a novel to enthrall the reader with every turn of the page. ‘Bharyawagen Liyamanak,’ a short story collection, showcases a writer’s vivid imagination at its best.
Dr. Namel Weeramuni would sit in the auditorium of his Punchi Theater and quietly enjoy a stage drama in his leisure, and if an ardent fan of his is lucky enough, he or she would have a glimpse of him while being there and even go beyond that to have a chat with the veteran.
