Mr. Pujitha De Mel

Current Position:

• Lecturer in Department of Performing Arts, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo
• President of Art Council of Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo.
• Student Counselor- Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Previous Professional Positions

• Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute (ARTI), 2010 – 2015 Officer /Publication and Information
• Visiting Lecturer‑ Department of Fine Arts. University of Peradeniya in 2010 to Date
• Media Assistant, Information & Planning Unit, Child Protection Authority, 2013 – 2014
• Assistant Lecturer, Drama & Theater and Visual Media Unit, University of Kelaniya since 2008 – 2010
• Creative Director, Ranjith Jayasooriya Associate, 2002 – 2004
• Senior Writer (Creative Communication& Concept Designer), Q & E Advertising, 1995- 2001
• Creative communication Writer (print & electronic media) & Concept designer, Minds Bozell (Pvt) Ltd. 1991 – 1994

Awards and Scholarships

• Awarded Presidential Scholarship by Sri Lankan Government for higher studies in the year 2002.
• Won Best Script Writer (Translation), Best Director and Upcoming Director awards for “ASINAMALI” at National Drama Festival in 2001
• Won SLIM AWARD for Best press advertisement for year 1994
• Won Best Supporting Actor award in National Drama festival in 1993 for “YADAM” (Sinhala adaptation of “The Trial of Deadan Kimathi” directed by Mrs. Somalatha Subasinha
• Won Best Actor award National Drama festival in 1997 for “DIYAN GENA GINI” directed by Mr. Hemasiri Ferdindo
• Won Best Actor award in OCIC (Office Catholique International Du Cinema) in 1998 for “VILAMBITHA” Tele film directed by Mr. Lakshman Wijyasekara.
• Won Upcoming Actor award in Sumathi Television Awards in 1998 for in 1998 for “VILAMBITHA” Tele film directed by Mr. Lakshman Wijyasekara.

Extra-Curricular Activities

• Worked as Consultant in Social cohesion project conducted by UNICEF and ASM
• Worked as Resource person in PLAN Sri Lanka. Conducted documentary film script writing workshop for youth in Madawachiya (collaborate with University of Peradeniya)
• Worked as Resource person in UNICEF Sri Lanka, in child protection awareness project And preschool teaching methods project
• Worked as Resource person and coordinator in Room to Read. Conducted Children’s book writing workshop for writers and visualizes
• Worked as Chief coordinator and Main Resource person in USAIDS Conducted Forum Theatre project for undergraduates of University of Raja Rata
• Participate as a volunteer and resource person in Children film workshop organized by American Center.
• Conducted Youth Empowering work shop for vocational training & higher education with NAITA at Polonaruwa district.

Overseas Experience

• Represented Sri Lanka at the World Federation of Democratic Youth Festival held in South Africa in 2011 (Sponsored by South African Government)
• Represented Sri Lanka at the World Drama Festival held in South Korea in 2002 (Sponsored by ASSITEJ)
• Represented Sri Lanka at the performances held in Australia & India in 2000
• Represented Sri Lanka at the European Drama Festival held in Denmark in 1998; also visited Sweden sponsored by ASSITEJ International
• Represented Sri Lanka at the “SAARC” Drama Festival held in Dacca, Bangladesh in March 1997, Sponsored by Natya Sampradaya
• Represented Sri Lanka at the “2nd Asian Rainbow Week” (Youth for Children’s Camp) held in India, New Delhi in November 1991 sponsored by the Department Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India & ASSITEJ International.
• Represented Sri Lanka at the Youth Leadership held in Malacca, Malaysia in April 1991 sponsored by the Colombo Rotary Club.

RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS

Publications

• “ASAMMATHAYO“ (Dissenters) a book which include an interview with Tissa Abeysekara, regarding Ethnic conflict, Politics, Art & Culture
• ‘Mother courage in Sri Lankan Theater’ a biographical article about veteran director & actress Somalatha Subasinha publish in “ABINAYA” annual journal by Cultural Ministry of Sri Lanka
• “PUPPETRY AS A SOCIAL MEDIUM” dissertation based on research about puppetry work as a medium in society (in print)
• “ASINAMALI” best translation script at the State Drama Festival 2001 (Sinhala & Tamil Language. Publish by Godage Publishers)
• “ ANANTHA WOO DERANA SARA” an Academic Felicitation Volume of Mr. Berty Gunasekara (Professional Photographer) publish by Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya

Performance in Theater

As an Actor

• Acted in “SUBS SADAKA” Directed by Vijitha Gunerathna Director (Character; Son of a Striker (1985)
• Acted in “PUNCHI APATA DAN THERAI” (Character; 4^th Rat), “KATHANDARA DEKAK” (Character; Baby Monkey), “RATHMALI” (Adaptation of Red Riding hood/Character; Mr. Woolf), “HIMAKUMARI” ( Adaptation of Snow White and Seven Dwarfs/ Character; 7^th Dwarf) Children plays Directed by Somaltha Subasinha (1988 & 1996)
• Acted in “VIKURTHI ” Youth Play Directed by Somaltha Subasinha  (Character; Jagath (1990)
• Acted in “THE TRIAL OF DEDAN KIMATHI” in English (African play Produce by British Council) & “YADAM” ( same  drama adapted into Sinhala) Directed by Somaltha Subasinha    (Character- Street Boy (1993)
• Acted in “YAKSHA GAMANAYA” (Translation of Berthold Brecht’s “THE RISE OF ATHURO OI” Directed by Dharmasiri Bandaranayke(Character- Reporter (1994)

• Acted in “YUSHURU” (Japanese play Character- Ohio) Directed by Ajith Murage
• Acted in Harold Pinter’s “ONE FOR THE ROAD” (In United Kingdom with British actors. Produce Northbrook Theatre company U.K) Co – Director Joseph Smith (Character- Victor (2004)
• Acted in “DOLAHAK” (Translation of American Play TWELEVE ANGRY MEN) Directed by Athula Pathirana (Character- Foreman (2012)

As a Director

• Director & Script writer of “PIYAWARA”a Docudrama depicting the Sri Lanka Marxist political history from year 1930 – 2000 (Produced by Suriyamala Peace Foundation (1994).
• Director & Co-script writer of “ASINAMALI” African play adapted into Sinhala (2000).
• Directed “ BAK MAHA AKUNU” (‘Marriage of Figaro’ adapted by Late dramatist Mr. Dayanada Gunawardana) in Site Specific theatre form, Produce by University of Kalaniya (2012)
• Co- director and performer Harold Pinter’s “ONE FOR THE ROAD” (Character- Victor) in U.K with British actors. Produce Northbrook Theatre company U.K (2004)
• Directed “HADAYA GIYA MAGA” a children educational musical drama (Written by Dr. Theodore Fernando, Music composed by Lakshman Wijesekara) (2009)
• Directed “SOCRATES” (written by Prof. Sunanda Mahendra) in Site Specific theatre form. Produce by University of Peradeniya (2013)

Experimental Theatre

• “VIKARA HANDAVA”based on Andare folk stories and Haiku poem written by Mr. Ariyawansa Ranaweera applied to Site specific theatre form.
• “FLOCK OF BIRDS” This research is based on how theatre can be used to enhance the creativity talents of Special Need Children (Down syndrome).
• “NIRPRABU” (Subalterns) a Forum theatre production based on how theatre effects community development funded by USAID

Television Production

• Peace education through Art, Rhythm & Literature. PUPPETRY AS A POTENTIAL MEDIUM IN CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION. ( Directed, Children Television Programmed, produce by Open University of Sri Lanka and Sonta Dharma University of Indonesia in collaboration  with Dr. Norita Dewi & Dr. Theodore Fernando
• Directed “THUNVANNO” (The Third ) the Documentary film based on the third generation in Mahaweli Zone (produced by Colombo Institute)
• Directed & Script written to Television commercial for BOC, NSB, COMMERCIAL BANK, Y FM, NLB, SATHOSA, RDA, SLT clients.

Community Activities

• Conducts workshops focusing on leadership and team work for children and youth.
• President of Art Council of Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo.
• President of Academic teachers union of Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo (sister union of FUTA)
• Jury Member in State Drama festival organizes by Department of Cultural Affairs.
• Jury Member in State inter school drama completion organizes by Department of
• Conducts workshop in Writing Scripts & Directing in Theatre and Documentary Film for children, Youth and Adults
• Conducts workshop in Drama for Deaf and Dumb children
• Member of Children & Youth Theatre Organization (ASSITEJ International)

Research Interests

• Edutainment
• Site Specific Theater

Contact Details:

Phone: (+94) 77 372 5467/ (+94) 77 267 2280
Email: pujei@yahoo.com