Kula Kumariya. Jane Eyre in Sri Lanka

A new version of Jane Eyre has been produced and we, shame on us, didn't know it. The series is now being screened at 9 pm every Sunday on Swarnavahini channel in Sri Lanka and as far as we know it's in Sinhala language. We don't know how many episodes it has. All the information we have comes from the Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka):

Popular tele drama director Bermin Lylie Fernando’s latest tele serial ‘Kula Kumariya’ is now being telecast on Swarnavahini every Sunday at 9 pm.
The story is based on Charlotte Bronte’s extremely popular novel ‘Jane Eyre’ which was first published in 1847 – 8 years before the author died at the age of 39.

Ravindra Randeniya, Anarkalli Aakarsha, G.R. Perera, Anusha Damayanthi, Arjun Kamalnath, Sandun Wijesiri, Himali Siriwardana, Chitra Wakista, Manel Wanaguru, Miyuri Samarasinghe, Wilson Gunaratne, Vindhya Madushankani, Asitha Abeywardana Melani Ashoka, Milinda Perera, Nayana Rambukkanage Diana Perera, Niroshan Wijesinghe, Madhusha Pathirangani, Jeevan Handunneththi, Ananda Athukorale, Sandarekha Weerasinghe, Achala Shyamali, Maureen Sri Charuni Rodrigo, Bandula Suriyabandara, Susila Kottage and child artistes Shanudri Priyasad, Isham Samsudeen, Sulakkana, Janani Chamathka and Nethmini Silva play the key roles in ‘Kula Kumariya’ produced by debutant Prasad Wijesuriya on behalf of Ravindu Entertainments.

Pushpakumara Rajaguru has handled the camera, Pushpakumara Bandaragama the make up and Sunil Wijeratne the art department. The Sinhala version of the most widely read novel has been penned by award winning film actor and scriptwriter Tony Ranasinghe. The late Mani Mendis designed the costumes for Kula Kumariya.

The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka) gives us some more crew names and a glimpse into the plot:

Photographed by Pushpakumara Rajaguru. Make up artiste is Pushpakumara Bandaragamage and lyrics by Dr. Ajantha Ranasinghe and Bandula Nanayakkarawasam. Playback singing by Deepika Priyadarshani Peiris, Indika Upamali, Maurice Wijesinghe and Krishala Wijethunga.

'Kula Kumariya' depicts a story of a woman who comes across a number of exciting incidents and the obstacles she faces in life.

Suwimali loses her parents when she is very small. She is sent to her aunt Sooriya Bandara Walauwa where she is harassed by her cousins except Siliya the eldest who liked Suwimali.

During this time one of Suwimali uncles leaves his entire wealth to Suwimali and goes abroad. The family doctor helps Suwimali and she is sent to a convent in the town for her education. She is clever and does her education well. The sister in charge of the convent sends her to a wealthy house close by to give tuition to the children there.

This visits brings a dramatic twist to Suwimali's life. She meets sixty year old Mr. Edward Daraniyagala who develops a liking towards her and after sometime both develops a close relationship.

Well, as it can be seen more than a version of Jane Eyre, we are talking here of a recreation of the story.

EDIT: (May 2008)
This production obtained an award the 2008 Raigam Tele Awards:

Award for Children Performing - Sadani Sulakna - " Suvimali" - Kula Kumariya

ACategories: Jane Eyre, Movies-DVD-TV