Film & Cinema in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a cultural country, which prides itself in its film industry. Home to many acclaimed filmmakers and directors, many works of cinematography have received several awards and accolades.
Even through, Sri Lanka was introduced to the films early on in the 19th century by the British occupants, it was only in 1947 prior to the Independence of Sri Lanka that a Sinhala film was produce and shown. Cinema became an integral part of the society with Warwick Major taking measure to screen films and shortly after in 1903, the first permanent theatre, named Madan Theatre was premiered. The first film to have been made in Sri Lanka was “Rajakeeya Wickremaya” – “Royal Adventure” which starred the likes of Dr. N.M Perera but was screened in India and Singapore alone. However, it was only in 1933, that a Sri Lankan film called “Paliganeema – The Revenge” was screened in Colombo. This marked a new era for the industry.
The industry has blossomed since 1933, whereby 1947 marked the debut of the first film produced by a Sri Lankan called “Kadawunu Poronduwa”, which directly translates to “The Broken Promise”. Most of theses works are based on Sinhala literature with controversial themes such as family relations, terrorism, abortions and angst. Following the debut of Sinhala cinema the then Ceylon, Sri Lanka evolved into a master of fine literary films.
Furthermore, when talking of the film industry in Sri Lanka, Dr. Lester James Peries cannot go unmentioned. Possibly the most prestigious and influential filmmaker in the country, Dr. Lester James Peries was the first to reach for the stars and achieve global acclaim. With many awards to his name, he was first Sri Lankan to achieve the prestigious awards of Diploma of Honour at the Venice Film Festival for his film "Conquest In the Dry Zone" in 1954, the Silver Lion of St. Mark at the Venice International Film Festival in 1972 which also received a Diploma of Honour at the London Film Festival. Another acclaimed budding filmmaker is Vimukthi Jayasundara., whose “Sulanda Enu Pinisa”- “The Forsaken Land” won the prestigious award of Best Film at the Cannes Film Festival in 2005. Another filmmaker full of promise is Jackson Anthony who debuted his epic historical film “Aba” in 2008, which was set down in the history of Sinhala cinema as one of the most expensively produced film, grossing a total expenditure of 60 million rupees.
With blossoming filmmakers such as Vimukthi Jayasundara & Jackson Anthony and film verterans such as Dr. Lester James Peries, Asoka Handagama, Prasanna Vithanage and the likes, the future Sri Lanka film industry is expected to be promising and bountiful.
Events & Festivals in Sri Lanka
