No artiste so far to attend Wimal Kumara de Costa's funeral!

No artiste so far to attend Wimal Kumara de Costa's funeral!

During the past short period of time Wijaya Nandasiri, Dr. Amaradeva and Wimal Kumara de Costa have left us forever. It is difficult to believe how these deaths which moved the hearts of fans have touched those  in those fields that they had been attached to, in a different manner.

Wimal Kumara de Costa was an artiste who used to address everybody as 'machan' and was someone

who had kept his foot down on this earth, so to say. When he spoke about his financial difficulties in front of the media, he was given a house by the past regime. Whatever it is, after his bereavement leave aside societies who talk about 'on behalf of artistes', not even a single artiste has come to his funeral house.

Mr. Costa's wife Renuka spoke about it in this manner: "My husband had passed away on 20th afternoon. From then onwards it was relayed over the media. But until 21st afternoon not even a single artiste came. But he was all the time sharing his happiness with all of us. Having heard of his death his fans have been giving telephone calls upto now. A big crowd came to this place. But though my husband was involved in a large number of films, dramas ... I feel sad that not a single artiste came.

Mr. Costa's son Venura Kavin had this to say: "Except for his fans, no artiste sighted this place. Though our father was an artiste he didn't go behind earning money as such. Reputed artistes help only up-and-coming actors and actresses who have money. Regarding that of course we feel a big sorrow". The situation to be observed now after the death of Mr. Wimal Kumara de Costa who painted smiles, humour, sorrow and tears by adorning such characteristics in the hearts of his fans in the seventies, is indeed pathetic.

The body of Mr. Wimal Kumara de Costa is kept at the home in Singhapura Devana Adiyara No. 70/39/3/1 down Baseline Road, Colombo 8 for the public to pay their last respects. The body will be kept at Sudarshi Hall in Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7 tomorrow (23rd) morning for the public to pay their tribute and subsequently the final rites will be performed at 4.00 pm at Borella Kanatta.