'Nil Diya Yahana', the debut film direction by award winning teledrama maker, make-up artiste, television producer and cinema journalist Dayaratne Ratagedara has completed its post production and it is ready to be released soon on CEL circuit cinemas.

Nil Diya Yahana, a dream comes true for talented Ratagedara says "I started my career as a child actor in Lester James Peries' 'Madol Doowa' and regularly involved in cinema playing different roles behinds the screen. And playing the role of director was back in my mind from the very early stage of my career,"
However following his first role as a child actor, Ratagedara mastered himself as a make up artiste under the guidance of veteran make up artiste Ebert Wijesinghe and later became an assistant director for country's leading filmmakers like Lester James Peries in his 'Weera Puran Appu' and Sumithra Peiris' in her 'Gehenu Lamai' while assisting other filmmakers like Tissa Abeysekera and Chitra Abeysekera.

'Nil Diya Dahara' a film revolving around a pathetic love story with a somewhat commercial presentation is quite different from his earlier subject matters. Well known for his novel subject for telefilms like violent social system in 'Mahamera Pamula', the development of leftist politics in the Sri Lanka 'Dekethi Muwahatha' and 'Bogala Soundaris' a character story of a common man which won the hearts of TV audience, his maiden film is on a common love story targeting the young audience. And Sri Lankan film audience will be able to see how Ratagedara has handled this novel subject matter when the film releases in September.

However with his first film Ratagedara has been brave enough to introduce new main actor with Saranga Disasekera, the son of popular singer Narada Dissasekara and Dileepa Jayakody a well known name in the advertising industry as the script writer.

'Nil Diya Dahara' also marks the second coming for award-winning cinematographer Donald Karunaratne who returns to the country and cinema from abroad after more than sixteen years. Donald started his career with Dharmasena Pathiraja's landmark 'Ahas Gawwa'.

"I must be grateful to my producers Sujeewa Shantha Hettiarachchi and Ms. Mali Hettiarachchi who kept their trust in me and selected me for their first film," said Ratagedara with gratitude.

The film was shot in and around the locations in Colombo, Dambulla and Nuwara Eliya. Stars in the 'Nil Diya Yahana'.The stars in the stellar cast are Chathurika Peries, Saranga Dissasekara, Tony Ranasinghe, Chandani Seneviratne, Roshan Pilapitiya, Sanath Gunathilaka, Damayanthi Fonseka, Menika Attanayake, Manjula Moragaha, Nadee Chandrasekara, Chandrasoma Binduhewa, Daya Alwis and Minister Dilan Perera.

Ravindra Guruge-editor, Lal Harendranath- art director, Imal Shanaka Peiris- make up, Rohana Weerasinghe- musical score. Sandhya Jayasuriya- costume designing, Kalinga Gihan Perera- sounds, Sumith Mudannayake- executive producer, Mahesh Bandara- Production Manager and Daminda D. Madawala- Assistant Director. Produced by Sujeewa Shantha Hettiarachchi and Ms. Mali Hettiarachchi for Hemlock Creations.