Jagath Manuwarna speaks about Raigam Awards issue

Both of us were under liquor that time ....on such instances such dialogues take place - Jagath Manuwarna

Newspapers reported yesterday of an incident where tele-actor Jagath Manuwarna had threatened Professor Patrick Ratnayaka who led the panel of Judges when the Raigam Tele Award Festival came to an end last Friday.

It was also mentioned that in the news report that he had engaged in a tussel because he did not win the award for the Best Supporting Actor when his name was in the nominations list of the Boralu Paara teledrama at this time's award ceremony.
It was also reported that at the dinner given after the award ceremony and when Jagath Manuwarna was passing Prof. Patrick Ratnayaka, the former had cast a remark at him saying, "What did you do tome? .... What do you know about acting?" and the dialogue had dragged on until the joy of the award festival turned into a disagreeable environment.

It was learned that subsequently a section of the crowd had escorted the Prof. out of the dining-hall.

This is what Prof. Patrick Ratnayaka had to say: "I was the President of the jury of the Raigam Tel'ees Festival this time. During the party on the night of the ceremony, Jagath Manuwarna who passed by me, saw me and first of all he questioned me, "Ah .... here he is .... what did you do for me .... 'thamuse' ... what do you know about acting?" I tried to explain to him about the principles and procedures we followed when giving the awards. In the process I was asked to explain about  acting also. It looked that he was not interested in hearing about it. What was seen from him was a thug-type of behaviour. He tried to display colours just as much as his name portrayed. Later some people made a request from me to leave the hall. If I had remained there .... things would have got worse".

We of Gossip Lanka inquired about this from Jagath Manuwarna. This is what he told us, explaining the incident: "First of all it must be said that what went in the newspapers is utter false. After the festival was over .... there was a drinking get-together. At that party I met Prof. Patrick. On that occasion I asked some questions that I had to ask from him. That's what happened. What I asked was whether those who judged the presenting of awards have any knowledge on acting. I said, 'there isn't anyone like that .... isn't it?' only. He didn't have an answer to that. Both of us were after liquor at that moment of course. I don't know whether I became aggressive at that time. Usually at drinking parties such an exchange of words take place. It is normal. Not that I spoke against Prof. Patrick. The problem I had was about the suitability of the jury. He's a Professor who has good qualifications. I have no doubt about that.

I never keep my problems stuck inside me. My nature is to be straight. When we meet friends also such dialogues take place .... the next day we forget it .... what we do also is acting no. When after drinks our voices may soar.

*  You got aggressive because you didn't get the award didn't you?
    I am not the type of person who runs behind awards. I spoke not because I didn't get an award. Before this I got an award for the Up and Coming Actor. Later I had Marketing problems with them. It was under those circumstances that I got nominations this time .... didn't get for Supporting Actor. But the question I have is about the method in which awards are given in Sri Lanka. 

*  What is the fault that you see?
    Awards are given not for acting. Those of the panel should have a knowledge about subject-theory aspects of acting. They themselves said that the best dramas were selected according to the simple point as to whether those of the panel were dozing away when they are watching the dramas. How can dramas be judged like that?

    Now .... the Best and Popular Actor is selected when they are to be frequently seen around and according to how the Marketing is done. They should always be shown on TV .... they should go to sing and dance. The majority of the audience is stupid. They think that those who are seen everyday are the best.

    The question I had in my mind was the criterion on how the awards were given and the qualifications or suitability of those who judge the awards.

*  Do you have anything to say about the awards given this time?
    I have questions about those who received awards also. I wondered whether some of those who got awards were actors or actresses. There are only a handful of directors who have a knowledge of acting in Sri Lanka today. Their creations are not recognised. Now there's only a television business. Through that .... the popular channel is maintained. Those of skilled artistes go down the drain.