Veteran artist and film technician Givantha Arthasad, who created Sri Lanka’s first animated film, has died at the age of 73.

Arthasad died while receiving treatment at the Panadura Base Hospital, Ada Derana and the Daily Mirror reported on Thursday. None of the outlets covering his death specified the illness.

The films

Arthasad made “Dutugemunu,” regarded as Sri Lanka’s first animated cartoon film, which was released in 1979. The Sinhala-language daily Divaina reported that he went on to make the country’s first colour cartoon film, “Mahadenamuththayi Golayo Roththayi,” which it dated to 2002. The English-language outlets did not mention the second film.

A technician across the craft

His career extended well beyond animation. The Daily Mirror said he worked in painting, cinematography, make-up, art direction and film editing, and is regarded as a pioneer of special effects in Sri Lankan cinema and television. Divaina additionally credited him with work in directing, editing and television and radio production.

He wrote Cinema - Maya, a study of cinema technology and language, and briefly served as Director General of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation.

Arthasad was the brother of the veteran film director Dinesh Priyasad.

Final rites

Family members said details of his final rites would be announced later, Hiru News reported.

Divaina reported that he was working on another film at the time of his death, and that seeing it reach cinemas had been one of his last hopes.

No tribute from a state cultural body or film industry association had been reported at the time of writing.

Sources