Best Sri Lankan history movies

Get ready to binge. We've found a collection of must-watch history films from Sri Lanka, now streaming on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Prime Video, and other top services!

  • Poster for Bimba Devi Alias Yashodhara

    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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  • Poster for Gautama Buddha Matha

    Gautama Buddha Matha 2024

    Directed by Professor Sunil Ariyaratne, 'Gautama Buddha Matha' is a cinematic portrayal inspired by the life of Mahapajapati Gotami, the revered queen and one of the earliest followers of the Buddha.

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  • Poster for Tsunami

    Tsunami 2020

    After a catastrophic tsunami in 2004, many lives were changed forever. This movie portrays a heart-warming story of two such families, and the story revolves around a 2-year-old child believed to be washed away by the floods. 10 years later, the Tamil family learns about a 12-year-old Sinhalese girl who can understand Tamil and remembers incidents from her previous life. Soon they recognize the girl by a birthmark on her face. The young girl now has to choose between her biological family and the family she grew up with.

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  • Poster for Siri Parakum

    Siri Parakum 2013

    The 1st queen of the king dies in child birth, the prince survives. After the 2nd queen, gives birth to a new prince, she plots to kill the 1st prince, so that her son would get the crown after the king. A soldier senses this danger and ousts the prince to a rural village for survival. The village headman adopts the child without knowing the origin of the child. The prince gradually forgets his royalty, and grows up as a skillful and handsome farmer. After the death of the king, the soldier and religious leaders plan to bring the real prince to the crown.

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  • Poster for Maharaja Gemunu

    Maharaja Gemunu 2015

    Maharaja Gemunu is based on the odyssey of King Gemunu (ruler of Sri Lanka 161–137 BC) who is renowned for defeating and overthrowing King Elara, the usurping Tamil prince from the Chola Kingdom, who had invaded the Kingdom of Rajarata in 205 BC.

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  • Poster for The Frozen Fire

    The Frozen Fire 2018

    Some are called heroes, some villains. Histories get buried and the dead are resurrected. Sometimes a thread of humanity gets drawn from blurred stories. It could clothe the world one day or stitch together a fallen flag.

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  • Poster for Abá

    Abá 2008

    The childhood story of king Pandukabhaya (474 BC - 367 BC), the 6th monarch of Sri Lanka.

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  • Light Arose 2017

    Aloko Udapadi is a Sinhalese epic historical film based on the story of King Valagamba of Anuradhapura (89 – 77 BCE).

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  • Poster for Kusa Pabha

    Kusa Pabha 2012

    The love story between beastly-looking prince Kusa and beautiful princess Paba.

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  • Poster for Devi Kusumasana

    Devi Kusumasana 2025

    Devi Kusumasana lets you deep dive into a world of stunning visuals, powerful storytelling, and unforgettable performances that explore the essence of love, sacrifice, and the beauty of life. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Sri Lanka, this film promises to touch your heart and inspire your soul.

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  • Poster for Life of Christ's

    Life of Christ's 1990

    The film is based on the life of Jesus Christ until the crucifixion. It was the first Sinhala film based on Christianity and directed by a Buddhist.

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  • Poster for The God King

    The God King 1974

    Epic tale set in 5th century Sri Lanka, following the battle for the throne between Kassapa and his father King Dhatusena

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  • Poster for Sandesaya

    Sandesaya 1960

    Sandesaya (Sinhalese language word meaning The Message) is a 1960 film. The film based on the war between the Sinhalese people and the Portuguese invaders in Sri Lanka. It was directed by Sri Lankan film director Lester James Peries. It was produced by K. Gunaratnam on behalf of the Cinemas Company on the request of Raj Kapoor.

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