are veterans of the silver screen, also participated. Cristina Fernando a newcomer who played the dual characters of Veronica and Avarjana came for high praise of all present. This play was directed by dramatist Peter Wellambage. Veteran Catholic church critic Rev. Fr. Earnest Poruthota wrote to the media with copies to the Bishop of Kurunegala highly appreciating the drama, equaling it as the Sri Lankan version of the world-famous passion plays in the world giving highest possible compliments. This play creates history in many ways: This is the first passion play in the world with the highest number of senior artists of the silver screen participating. This is the first time that a cabinet minister of a country portrayed the character of Jesus Christ live on a stage in any part of the world. Tharakayano: The first ballet-style passion play (2012) For the first time in 400 years of world passion play history, the people in Negombo (Sri Lanka), mostly Catholics, witnessed an entirely innovative change concerning the biblical content and the form of the passion play tradition with the successful dramatic presentation of a performance in ballet style titled “Tharakayano” on 29 April 1016 at Kadolkele grounds Negombo. “Tharakayano” is the Sinhala name given to Jesus Christ. Nearly 250 boys and girls perform characters in 'Tharakayano'. Namal Weveldeniya plays a pivotal role as the choreographer. He is a professional in choreography and a teacher of a leading school in Colombo. Dr. Prabath Aloka is the director and the music composer. He was also the producer of drama on Jacome Gonsalvez directed by Krishantha Warnakula from Negombo. Ranil Fernando, the versatile sculptor of Christian statues, is the stage director and costume designer. Wijith Rohan, a senior lecturer attached to the department of Christian Culture of the Faculty of Humanities in the University of Kelaniya, scripted ‘Tharakayano.’ In keeping with the age-old passion play tradition, “Tharakayano” begins with the creation story and the fall of Adam and Eve as depicted in the book of Genesis in the Bible. Much emphasis is given to the story of Exodus which is the real passion story of the Bible. It is Jesus, the new Moses, who liberates the oppressed people of the world as God brought freedom to the slaves of Israel through Moses by releasing them from the fetters of the oppressor, the Egyptian king, Pharaoh. The ‘Crossing of the Red Sea’ is