As a Television Producer and Director, I have produced a variety of Television programs such as Documentary, Live shows, Musical Programs, Travell program, Magazine programs, Current affairs programs fillers, themes and etc. Mostly, I prefer to produce attractive programs in creative forms. So far I have won following awards for my television program
My First International Award and first Japan Prize Award to Rupavahini
" Schooling Along Wild Track"
“ වන මං දිගේ අකුරට“
Japan Prize 2013
The Best TV Program Proposal
Japan Prize 2013
[Held in NHK Television Studio in Japan ]
This is the story of some children in rural villages of Sri Lanka. This documentary film focuses on their learning from nature with practical engagement facing challenges and taking numerous risks. "Schooling Along Wild Track" will be screened next year on National television and NHK television in Japan. This documentary film m proposal is selected by the jury because of its outstanding educational quality. Children love nature, it is a universal scientific fact and truly it is a successful informal educational form that has to be more considered by educational policymakers and designers. This is one of the remarkable milestones of my career which has been opened a way for me to the international arena of documentary filmmaking.
" Udarata Menike - a train journey to hill country"
State Television Award 2010
Best cultural & Educational Program
" Watarawuma"
Sumathi Television Award 2006
Best Current Affairs Program
TELEVISION AWARDS
01 " Watarawuma -Roundabout"
The best Current affairs program in Sumathi Television Award - 2006
02. " Watarawuma -Roundabout"
The best Magazine program in Media Television Award -2007
03 "Udarata Menike - a train journey to the hill country with Mayuri Wanaguru)
Presidential Award for Travel and Tourism 2009 for Best television travel program
Best Educational & Cultural Television Program in the State Television Award 2010
05. "Schooling along Wild Track" Best Television Program Proposal of
06. Special Jury Award - ABU TV Contest 2015 In Turkey, for the documentary "Schooling along the Wild Track"
07. " Dream House Battle" Finalist - Tokyo Docs 2019
Udarata Menike moving up memory lane :
On the right track
Ruwini Jayawardana in Pattipola
The history which flows along with Udarata Menike is as long as its journey on the tracks. The railway was incepted by the British in the 18th century with the main purpose of transporting goods, mainly the tea from the plantations and the imported goods to the up country.
Such magnificent spectacles are introduced or brought before the audience in Udarata Menike, the colorful documentary program which takes its spectators on a lengthy flight to an unending store of knowledge on Rupavahini, Saturdays at 7.30 p.m.Many historically, traditionally, politically, socially and agriculturally significant designations are winded across or close to the tracks of the railway and passengers are able to witness many breath-taking sights from their 290 kilometer journey to Badulla.
Udarata Menikeprogram is produced by Athula Dissanayake and Mayuri Wanaguru. A small crew embarks on this adventurous journey up the railroad yet their expedition is filled with many discoveries and stunning vistas.
"We started off on our venture from the Fort railway station. We inspected a lot of significant locations in the area before actually setting off on the journey. Moving sights of ancient buildings which had been put up during the time of the Dutch period, the secretariat,
 We got off the tracks whenever we came across an interesting location and explored the site," Dissanayake recalled on the early period when Udarata Menike began unfolding on the mini screen. the Dutch museum came into view.
Indeed Udarata Menike had made its mark with the audience by bringing forth an entertaining travel program of educational value.
They had explored some areas which had rarely fallen under the scope of the public. For example, the team had stepped down at Gampaha and had traversed to the Henarathgoda Botanic Gardens.
They had visited the Maligathanna hermitage. Getting off at Rambukkana they had visited the Pinnawala Elephant orphanage and on reaching Peradeniya, they had taken a tour of Peradeniya University. Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Kandy museum and the King's Palace some sites brought to the spotlight in Kandy.
This is where the last Sinhalese king of the country dwelled. Cannonballs used during the British period can still be seen there," Dissanayake revealed."Many visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic and the Peradeniya Botanical gardens during their stay in Kandy but they hardly visit the King's Palace which is situated to the north from the temple.
Gayantha Wickramathileke and Shymen were the first comperes of the project but now a new face, Iresha Lakmali, had taken over. The rest of the group is made up of the cameramen Sisira Deepthi and Amal Liyanage, recording technicians Mohammed Ghazali and Siripala Bambarandha, lighting technician Mangala Samarawickrama, make up artist Chandana, Editor Dimuthu Kuruppu, Shymali Balasooriya, and Manjula. The catchy theme song was penned by the producers, set to tune by Lalith Wickramasena and sung by Nelu Adhikari and Kapila Pugalarachchi.
Shooting takes place in various parts of the train and in various angles. The program towards the end of the year.
You can get more details about the program on www.rupavahini.lk
 Enveloping the mist at Nanu Oya
Located 1625 meters above sea level the Nanu Oya railway station is one of the bigger railway stations which falls across the Colombo - Badulla railway tracks. Many get off at this point and take a half and hour’s drive on a bus to Nuwara Eliya.
“There used to be a small train which made its way from Nanu Oya to Nuwara Eliya to transport goods but it was stopped in 1941when the authorities decided to shift the goods in lorries,” Nanu Oya station master M.S.S. Siripala told the Daily News.
“Sometimes the trains are delayed in this area due to thick mist. Two employees patrol along the tracks daily making sure that everything is in order. Some time back only one person was sent for this task but he vanished without a trace. Many believed that he was snatched away by a leopard,” he explained.
Covering two to three miles, the patrollers inspect each of the tracks to make sure that no danger will befall the train. The trains are given the signal to pass through only once they have reported that the track is clear. If any form of danger is at hand the patrollers will light a form of firecracker during the daytime or a sparkler after dark as a warning sign to the engine driver.
The station possessed a number of equipment which had been used by the British. All these are now on display at the National Railway Museum.
Blessed with beautyAround 10 main waterfalls in the island, including Devon waterfalls and St. Clair waterfall, are visible to passengers who feast their eyes on the passing beauty. The train makes its way uphill at three main points: Rambukkana - Kadugannawa, Nawalapitiya - Hatton, and Thalawakale - Pattipola. The Colombo - Badulla railway tracks run for 290 kilometers with 81 stops at railway stations. Forty-four tunnels rise up from the path, the longest is the Hatton - Kotagala tunnel, the second longest is the Banana - Kadugannawa tunnel and the third longest is between Pattipola and Ohiya. Interestingly at one point the train enters the tunnel from the Nuwara Eliya district and emerges from the Uva province!
The whole journey from Colombo to Badulla is tiring so the engine driver changes at Nawalapitiya. The new engine driver then takes Udarata Menike till its final destination in Badulla. From Colombo to Rambukkana the color light system is used for the trains to take off. There onwards it is the tablet system introduced by the British which is still in use at the stations.
If you are a local traveler or nature lover, your life’s journey isn’t quite fulfilled if you haven’t set off on the trails of nature’s exquisite beauty on Udarata Menike. The journey is not only an unforgettable experience but one that allows you to feast your eyes upon the best of what nature has to offer to mankind.
Getting to the peakThe Pattipola railway station is situated 1891 m (6204 feet) above sea level. It is a small station the crew still use some of the old equipment which had been placed at the station when it was built. These date back to around 150 years. A painting which portrays the site in 1940 still hangs on the wall of the station master’s office.
The railway station is in dire need of renovation. Water supply facilities and a telephone are the needs which are at the top of their list.
The railway station is just a stone’s throw away from the Horton Plains. Many tourists get off at the station and proceed along a six-kilometer trail in a vehicle and another six kilometers on foot to make it to World’s End.
The Pattipola railway station is located between the Ambewala and Ohiya railway stations. Proceeding up the railway tracks on the way to Ohiya, you come across the summit level of the railway road.
If you are venturing to this region do not forget to take a warm jacket along with you as the weather can be quite chilly. The Pattipola village comprises around a hundred houses. Most of the villagers earn their living through vegetable farming. So plenty of vegetables like carrots and cabbages are on sale at the market and many more are being transported to Nuwara Eliya and areas around the country.
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