Bambaru Avith

Bambaru Avith (The Wasps are Here) is a 1978 Sri Lankan Sinhala drama film directed by Dharmasena Pathiraja and produced by director himself with Thilak Godamanne for Saranga Salaroo. It explores tradition and exploitation following the introduction of capitalism to a tiny fishing village and the subsequent clash between the local boss and the urban outsider. Plot In a fishing village, Anton Aiya is an exploiter who outwardly resembles and acts like a regular fisherman, but he exploits and feeds off the other fishermen. Into this setting arrives members of the urban entrepreneurial youth. They have adapted to Western Culture, dressing like Westerners and preferring Western music. Conflict arises between Anton Aiya and Baby Mahattaya (Victor), a representative of the urban youth. A middle-class leftist Weerasena is also of this group. The arrival of these youths has clearly caused a social crisis requiring a solution and all Weerasena can do is stand on a platform and deliver a speech that no one listens to. He finally leaves for the city. Cast Joe Abeywickrema as Anton Aiya Vijaya Kumaratunga as Victor, Baby Mahattaya Malini Fonseka as Helen Cyril Wickramage as Cyril Wimal Kumara de Costa as Weerasena Amarasiri Kalansuriya as Sanath Daya Thennakoon as Francis Ruby de Mel as Celestina, Helen's mother Somasiri Dehipitiya as Seba Vincent Vaas as Anton's friend Daya Alwis as Church father W. Jayasiri as Michael S. H. Somapala as Christopher Piyasena Ahangama as Navy officer