Mahagama Sekera Sri Lankan poet, lyricist, playwright, novelist, artist, translator and filmmaker. He is considered to be a significant figure in Sinhalese poetry and literature. Sekara is best remembered as a poet and songwriter with several of his works even becoming popular songs in Sri Lanka. His works occasionally have an introspective Buddhist influenced outlook. His poems and songs remain widely quoted on the island nearly thirty years after his death..
Sri Lankabhimanya Wannakuwattawaduge Don Albert Perera, better known by his adopted name Amaradeva, was a prominent Sri Lankan Sinhalese vocalist, violinist and composer. Primarily using traditional instruments like sitars, tablas and harmoniums, he incorporated Sinhala folk music with Indian ragas in his work. Many consider his contribution to the development of Sinhala music as unmatched; hence, he is occasionally cited as the "Maestro of Sri Lankan Music".
Sri Lankan cinema encompasses the Sri Lankan film industry. It is a fledgling industry that has struggled to find a footing since its inauguration in 1947 with Kadawunu Poronduwa produced by S. M. Nayagam of Chitra Kala Movietone. Sri Lankan films are usually made in Sinhala and Tamil languages, the dominant languages of the country. Cinema of Sri Lanka is also referred to as Follywood as many famous Sri Lankan actors had surnames starting with an "F."
Deshabandu Gammana Patabendige Don John Abeywickrama, popularly as Joe Abeywickrama, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television. Initially famed as a comedic actor in early 1950s, Abeywickrama became one of the greatest film actors of alltime in Sinhala cinema with several critically acclaimed award winning dramatic performances.
Hanthane Kathawa is a 1969 film based on a love story of university students of Sri Lanka. It was directed by famous Sri Lankan film director Sugathapala Senarath Yapa and screened on August 1, 1968. This film also remarks the cinema debut of famous actor Vijaya Kumaratunga.
Sath Samudura is a landmark Sri Lankan film directed by professor Siri Gunasinghe and released in 1967. This film was critically acclaimed and is considered a major work in Sri Lankan cinema.
Rathnayake Arachchilage Victor, popularly known as Victor Rathnayake, is a Sri Lankan singer, composer, lyricist and a renowned musician. He was the first Sri Lankan artist to hold a solo concert; His concert known as "SA" was first performed in 1973, and was an instant success. Rathnayake credits his success to his "fitting blend of Western music with Ragadari classical music." His songs deal with diverse themes that vary from love, to patriotism and Buddhism.
Getawarayo is a 1964 Sri Lankan drama film co-directed by Mike Wilson and Tissa Liyanasuriya and produced by Shesha Palihakkara. The film starring Gamini Fonseka in lead role along with Sobani Amarasinghe, Joe Abeywickrema, Jeevarani Kurukulasuriya and Tony Ranasinghe made supportive roles.
Sirisena Wimalaweera was a Sri Lankan filmmaker and theater master. He made several critically acclaimed films from 1949 to 1960. He is the first independent Sinhalese and Sri Lankan to direct a Sinhala film and first Sinhala Independent Producer.
Presidential Film Awards is a film award ceremony held in Sri Lanka. It is organized by the National Film Corporation along with the Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. It was 1st awards in 1979 by President J. R. Jayewardene, and continue till 2004. The awards were not held from 2005 to 2014 when Mahinda Rajapakse was president. The award started to be presented again in 2015 by President Maithripala Sirisena.
Sikuru Tharuwa is a 1963 Sri Lankan drama directed by L. S. Ramachandran and written by P. K. D. Seneviratne. It was developed by the Kurulu Rana group that attempted to make original movies pertaining to Sinhalese culture.
Kopi Kade is a popular Sri Lankan comedy-drama television series broadcast on the Independent Television Network. One of Sri Lanka's iconic television series in history, Kopi Kade remains the most popular program at its time-slot according to Survey Research Lanka. The 1500th uninterrupted weekly episode was broadcast on January 17, 2017. It was telecasted on Sundays for a brief period, where the drama was starts back to telecast on every Wednesday which was later telecast on every Friday at 9.00 p.m.
Dehipitiyage Don Somasiri, popularly as Somasiri Dehipitiya, was a popular Sri Lankan character actor. He is best known for performances in Dharmasena Pathiraja and Vasantha Obeysekera films.
Kala Keerthi Suminda Sirisena is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television. He has played a wide range of starring or supporting roles and a recipient of Best Actor award in many award festivals.
Gamani is a 2011 Sri Lankan Sinhala war thriller biographical film directed by Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara and produced by Upali Rajapakse. It stars Dilhani Ekanayake and Bimal Jayakody in lead roles along with Mahendra Perera and Jagath Chamila. Music composed by Nadeeka Guruge. It is the 1245th film in Sri Lankan cinema.
In March 2017 President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena awarded national honours to 90 individuals for distinguished services. It was the first time in twelve years that awards were given out and there were 426 applicants. The awards ceremony was held on 20 March 2017 at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre in Colombo.
Pothupitiya Kankanamge Pradeepa Nirmali Hemamali Dharmadasa,, popularly as Pradeepa Dharmadasa, is a Sri Lankan musician, playback singer and former stage drama actress in Sri Lankan theatre and television.
Visharada Alahakoonge Don Jayatissa [Sinhala]), popularly as Jayatissa Alahakoon, was a prolific music director and composer in Sri Lankan cinema and theater.
Pathirajawasam Kudahitige Don Seneviratne was a prominent Sri Lankan poet, journalist and a scriptwriter in Sinhala cinema. Considered as foremost independent screenwriter in Sri Lankan cinema, Seneviratne wrote several popular films such as Kurulu Bedda, Sikuru Tharuwa, Parasathu Mal and Ran Salu. He was a popular poet of the Colombo period.
