Drama within a drama: Stage play ‘Garu Kathanayaka Thumani’ creates drama

By Yohan Perera   

The stage play ‘Garu Kathanayaka Thumeni’ which was to be staged in Colombo found itself in a controversy when a candidate who was contesting the General Election lodged a complaint against staging it.   

An independent candidate lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against the staging of the drama saying the drama negatively affects some candidates as it portrays political characters.   

This candidate in a letter addressed to the Election Commission said the drama insults some politicians who are contesting the election.   

However, Director of the drama Udayasiri Wickramaratne when contacted by Daily Mirror said he has not received any instruction from the Election Commission. “We have not received any instruction from the Election Commission to stop the staging. Also the story in the drama is not directed towards any candidate or a party. We don’t support any candidate or a party. Our intention is not to pass a political message but just to provide entertainment,” Wickramaratne said.   

“We have staged the drama before and staged it even during the Presidential election. There was no issue then. We wonder as to why this has become an issue now,” he added.