Directed byLester James Peries OriginSri Lanka GenresDrama ActorsJoe Abeywickrama, Vijaya Kumaranatunga, Tony Ranasinghe, Henry Jayasena Rating70% The lives of a poor family in a small village called Beddagama (literally, "The village in the jungle") as they struggle to survive the challenges presented by poverty, disease, superstition, the unsympathetic colonial system, and the jungle itself. The head of the family is a hunter named Silindu, who has two daughters named Punchi Menika and Hinnihami. After being manipulated by the village authorities and a debt collector, Silindu is put on trial for murder
A village fisherman Jayasena Fernando (Gamini Fonseka) acquires a job in the city at the company where his friend Semanaris (Joe Abeywickrama) works. As Jaya becomes successful he draws the ire of rich boatsman Lalith Hettiarachchi and the interest of his boss's daughter Surangani (Nilmini De Silva). Jaya gradually forgets about his former girlfriend Karuna (Sobini Amarasinghe) (after a misunderstanding with her brother) and begins vying for Sue's attention. In the end Jaya realizes that Sue doesn't matter to him and that he loves Karuna. He decides to go back home after beating Lalith in a motor boat race. Karuna however has married when Jaya returns and the film ends with him contemplating his future to the strains of Amaradeva's voice.
Cyril (Tony Ranasinghe) is dissatisfied with his introverted fiancee Sujatha (Punya Heendeniya). He starts a relationship with the more out-going Sarojini (Anula Karunatilleke) and gets her pregnant. Sujatha meanwhile is fascinated by a wandering Buddhist monk.