In a career spanning 30 years, award-winning filmmaker H. D. Premaratne directed 16 feature films portraying his prowess and passion for parallel cinema.

At a time when little is spoken about most of our filmmakers who have rendered yeoman service to the local cinema industry, well known film critic Thusitha Jayasundera’s efforts to extensively encompass HD’s works is indeed a praiseworthy  move.

Thusitha’s latest book ‘HD Premaratne: The Lankan symbol of Parallel Cinema’ discusses at length the 16 feature films directed by HD and analyses them in his unique style depicting his passion for parallel cinema and most-importantly his knack to cater to the ordinary filmgoer. The success of all his films has depended on these lines.

Premaratne who started as an assistant director in Dommie Jayawardane’s ‘Daru Duka’ in 1967 and followed it up in the same capacity in W. A. B. de Silva ‘Poojithayo’  (1971). He directed his maiden film ‘Sikuruliya’ in 1975 and then proved his skills as a filmmaker with significant movies like Apeksha, Sasaraka Pathum, Parithyaga, Hasthi Viyaruwa, Deveni Gamana, Adara Hasuna, Mangala Thegga, Saharawe Sahanaya, Palama Yata, Kulageya, Saptha Kanya, Seilama, Visidela, Mandakini and Kinihiriya Mal.

- Ramesh Uvais