Discover the best of Sri Lankan cinema, film, and television
Discover the definitive list of popular and critically-acclaimed movies and TV shows from Sri Lanka. Find your next binge-watch, streaming on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Prime Video, and other top services!
The cinema of Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan cinema began its journey in 1947 with "Kadawunu Poronduwa" (Broken Promise), directed by S. M. Nayagam, but it was Lester James Peries, considered the father of Sri Lankan cinema, who truly revolutionised the industry. His 1956 masterpiece "Rekava" established authentic Sinhala cinema and earned international recognition, proving that Sri Lankan stories could compete on the world stage. What makes Sri Lankan cinema fascinating is its multilingual tapestry. While Sinhala films dominated the landscape, Tamil cinema also flourished until the civil conflict disrupted production. The industry has produced remarkable works across both languages, with 843 films created between 1947 and 1997, including 36 Tamil language productions. Peries influenced generations of filmmakers including Dharmasena Pathiraja, Vasantha Obeysekera and Dharmasiri Bandaranayake, who continued his tradition of socially conscious storytelling. Contemporary directors like Prasanna Vithanage, Ashoka Handagama and Vimukthi Jayasundera have carried this legacy forward, creating films that explore identity, conflict, and reconciliation. The island's cinema uniquely captures the tension between tradition and modernity, often set against stunning tropical backdrops. Films frequently examine village life, family relationships, and social change with a distinctly Sri Lankan sensibility that resonates both locally and internationally. Television has also evolved significantly, though cinema remains the primary cultural export. The industry survived decades of civil war and economic challenges, emerging with renewed creativity. Recent productions have begun exploring previously taboo subjects, whilst maintaining the poetic realism that defines Sri Lankan storytelling.
Best Sri Lankan series
Wild Sri Lanka 2015
Wild Sri Lanka is a three part mini series about this tropical island in the Indian Ocean, off the southeastern coast of India. This land was wracked by civil war for decades. But now, researchers can bring modern science and technology to bear, in order to take stock of what lives here. The series explores the diverse wildlife of the country's coast and seas, taking clues from the water around the island to examine how the landmass came to be and why its complex climate and unique location see such a diverse range of species inhabiting its shores.
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Dandubasnamanaya 1994
The story revolves around two Kandyn clans that lived during the early years of 1920. They were the masters of a form of martial arts and retained the ownership of the art as one of their clan's entities.
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Akalasandya 1995
In 1600 A. D., an ancient aversion rises from its slumber. Two clans who indoctrinate the Sinhalese martial art 'Angam Pora' clash. A warrior awakens an untapped potential of his own mind, the Kundalini yoga. He is unstoppable. A little girl is destined to take the revenge on behalf of her assassinated father. The warrior travels through time. He realizes that hatred is not appeased by hatred. The girl fulfills her task. But a bond is left behind.
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Best Sri Lankan movies
Cleanin' Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters 2020
The documentary that tells us the full story from where it all started through to the future of the "Ghostbusters" franchise.
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A Common Man 2013
A terrorist plants several bombs throughout the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka and threatens to detonate them unless prisoners are released.
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Tommy 2014
After a year abroad Estelle returns home to collect her husband's share of the loot from a major robbery.
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Bimba Devi Alias Yashodhara 2018
Bimba Devi alias Yashodhara is a 2018 Sri Lankan Sinhala language epic, biographical drama film written and directed by professor Sunil Ariyaratne. This historical biographical film film depicts the life of princess Yashodhara, the wife of Prince Siddhartha.
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Gharasarapa 2018
Gharasarapa (The Lurking Serpent) (Sinhalese: ඝරසරප ) is a 2018 Sri Lankan Sinhala supernatural romantic horror film directed by Jayantha Chandrasiri and produced by Arjuna Kamalanath for Isuru Films. It stars Jackson Anthony, Kamal Addararachchi and Sangeetha Weeraratne in lead roles along with Sriyantha Mendis , Devnaka Porage and Kavindya Adikari. Music composed by Chintaka Jayakody. Kavindya Adikari, who is the daughter of popular singers Samitha Mudunkotuwa and Athula Adhikari make her debut cinema acting with the film. The film was screened at the Tharanga theatre at the National Film Corporation on 29th of June 2018. The film was officially released on 10 August 2018.
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Gajaman 2023
Gajaman is a henchman of the local politician Magodisthuma. Gajaman's life is turned upside down when Magodisthuma asks him to pick up his daughter and her friend from the airport. The trouble is, Gajaman falls in love with Magodisthuma's daughter immediately as he sees her. Magodisthuma becomes furious when he finds out about this. Gajaman is exiled from his village and he tries to sneak back in with the help of his friend Amdan. The movie revolves around the classic Sri Lankan characters Gajaman and Magodisthuma created by Camillus Perera from newspaper cartoons in the 60s.
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