The University of Colombo School of Computing developed the Digital Thorana to combine Sri Lanka’s traditional Vesak thorana storytelling form with computer graphics and large-screen digital presentation. The selected story was the Chulla Setti Jathakaya, concerning the results of combining hard work with wisdom and intelligence.
Harsha and Prof. Kamal Waleboda
The official UCSC account records that Prof. Kamal Waleboda, then Senior Lecturer and Head of the University of Colombo Journalism Unit, composed the viridu. Harsha Wijayawardhana, then consultant and Head of the UCSC Software Development Unit, conceptualized and managed the project.
The collaboration grew from a much longer broadcasting partnership. Prof. Waleboda was the compere of the radio programme Internet Sampath Bhavithaya, on which Harsha served as an ICT resource person. They worked together on radio programmes for almost nineteen years.
Digital production
Nirmala Handapangoda of the UCSC Software Development Unit drew the individual scenes using Macromedia Flash. During the viridu narration, each corresponding scene could be enlarged—an effect not possible in a conventional thorana. The presentation was designed for a 20-by-20-foot screen facing Thunmulla Junction and was funded by the UCSC National eLearning Centre.
Primary source: “UCSC Digital Thorana,” University of Colombo School of Computing, published 12 May 2016. The description and image are preserved here to keep this institutional and collaborative history accessible.