‘KUNCHANADA’ TELE SHOOTING ENDS But when will the human-elephant conflict end?

The human-elephant conflict is a complex situation not only in Sri Lanka but also in many Asian countries. Over the past few decades, it has triggered harmful impacts on both species with no viable solution foreseen in the near future. The newest tele serial titled ‘Kunchanada’ directed by Christy Shelton Fernando touches upon this timely topic in a bid to provide an artistic contribution to resolving the issue.

Can national elephant conservation policies provide answers to this sensitive issue? Or can measures
like erecting electric fences resolve this issue?

‘Kunchanada’ was shot extensively in areas like Galgamuwa, Rajanganaya, Mahawa, Udawalawa, Rambukkana and other areas. We maintained strict health guidelines during our schedule.

“We used tame elephants Raja and Lakshmi for this project while Cletus Mendis was the mahout. This was at the Rambukkana Millennium Elephant Foundation,”

The project’s coordinator veteran actress Sriyani Amarasena said the entire shooting schedule was completed and the editing task is now in progress.

“Just like humans, even animals have a right to live. We should never forget this fact, just because animals are voiceless creatures. This concept was playing up in my mind for several years. I wanted to do a creation based on this so that we could convey a positive message to the world. I am fortunate to have found a dedicated director, a committed cast and crew and also a devoted producer to make this dream a reality,” Sriyani Amarasena told
Daily Mirror Life Impulse.

Dingiri Banda and Dingiri Menika of Galgamuwa handed over their house with clay walls and thatched roof for the shooting purpose. This is the house that belong to Yasoma (Sriyani Amarasena) in the tele drama. The entire team was extra cautious about not damaging the crops of this couple. But all this hardwork can be demolished in just under one hour by jumbos that invade the village.

“Just like humans, even animals have a right to live. We should never forget this fact, just because animals are voiceless creatures. This concept was playing up in my mind for several years”

“But there are some villagers who believe that elephants do not harm human habitats if we don’t harm them. There were times we had to suspend shooting when some of our team members faced unforeseen troubles in the forest atmosphere. Why do wild elephants invade villages and ruin their crops? One cannot blame these voiceless animals whose natural habitats were encroached by the human species in the guise of development.

“We used tame elephants Raja and Lakshmi for this project while Cletus Mendis was the mahout. This was at the Rambukkana Millennium Elephant Foundation,” said Sriyani who is the production coordinator.
‘Kunchanada’ is produced by Dr. Lakshman Makandura.

The story scripted by Aruna Premaratne, features Sriyani Amarasena, Buddhadasa Vithanachchi, Roshan Pilapitiya, Awanthi Aponso, Anuradha Edirisinghe, Cletus Mendis, Chameera Liyanage,  Chathura Rajapaksa and others in the key roles.

Text: Ramesh Uvais