"Sudu Kaluwara" (The intruders) depicting the life and times in Sri Lanka under colonial rule is Sudath Rohana's first cinematic experience
The film is based on N. T. Karunatilake's novel 'Ulu Gedara Arachchila' and its script has been written by the director himself. Director Sudath who turned out 'Bedde Gedara', 'Yuga Wilakkuwa' and 'Wana Wadule Wasanthaya' joined the silver screen as an assistant director in the film "Viragaya."
The story revolves around certain incidents that took place in the 1930s in Lanka though not historically important.
Despite being a new comer to the cinema , Sudath has employed a colourful cast including Sanath Gunathilake, Jayalath Manoratne, Somalatha Subasinghe, Indrajith Navinna, W. Jayasiri, Buddhadasa Withanarachchi, Palitha Silva, Sandeepa Sewmini , Jayani Senanayake and there are some guest appearances by Hemasiri Liyanage, Wally Nanayakkara, Richard Weerakkody and Bandula Withanage.
Depicting the beauty of old Ceylon, the film was shot in some of the eye-catching locations around Kalawana, Thambu-ththegama and Kaltota.
Sudath is technically supported by Welagedara Ranasinghe as art director, Elmo Halide as editor, Lal Wickremarachchi as cinematographer and Navaratne Gamage as the music director.
The Film Development Fund of the National Film Corporation has sponsored "Sudu Kaluwara."
The village headman- Arachchila is a petty official with immense powers over the life and property of the people in the village under his charge. He is a loyal and obedient servant of British imperialism, promoting and establishing their political interests in the colony of Sri Lanka- then Ceylon.
Wilson Herald, a British planter, transforms a natural forest into a coconut estate. Seemon Fernando, a married man and an outsider, arriving in the village starts a business on a small scale. Dingiri Banda who befriends Wilson constructs the first tiled house in the village earning the wrath and displeasure of Arachchila who is later found guilty of felling illicit timber and is sacked from office. Dingiri Banda succeeds him as the Arachchila.
Meanwhile Wilson who had started a love affair with a beautiful village damsel Heen Menike decides to marry her. Her father Appuhamy objects to the marriage on grounds of cultural incompatibility. Podi Nilame, a grandson of the Korale Mahattaya who is proud of his ancestry as well as his country, becomes indebted to Seemon and thus becomes a tenant cultivator in his own land.
This was only the beginning of the troubles. More disasters are yet to come wrecking the peaceful simple lives of Sri Lanka due to the changes introduced in the economic, political and cultural sphere. In short it is the result of the foreign influence.
