Kadawunu Poronduwa was the first film to be made in the Sinhala language; it is generally considered to have heralded the coming of Sinhala Cinema. The film was produced and filmed in India however, and was highly influenced by South Indian melodrama. It was first shown on January 21, 1947, at the Kingsley Cinema in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
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.
Wanniaarachchige Don David Victor Jayamanne, MBE, popularly known as Eddie Jayamanne was a popular Sri Lankan comedian and actor of early Sri Lankan cinema.
Dahasak Sithuvili is a 1968 Sri Lankan film directed by G. D. L. Perera and produced by Hela Kala Pela. The film stars Henry Jayasena and Nilanthi Wijesinghe in lead roles, whereas Joe Abeywickrama, Malini Fonseka and Denawaka Hamine made supportive roles. Music was directed by Jayatissa Alahakoon. The film won several awards at local film festivals.
Ruby Jasmine de Mel [Sinhala]; 4 December 1917 – 8 November 2004) was a Sri Lankan film actress in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. One of the earliest pillars in Sri Lankan film history, de Mel is best known for her roles in films Siriyalatha, Kawata Andare, Nalangana and Granny in television serial Amba Yahaluwo. She died on 8 November 2004 after a career that spanned more than six decades.
Bernard Aloysius Wanniarachchi Jayamanne who was better known as B.A.W. Jayamanne was a Sri Lankan playwright, director, producer and actor. He played a major role in the making of the first Sinhala film Kadawunu Poronduwa in 1947; Jayamanne achieved a level of popularity as a director with movies starring Rukmani Devi and Eddie Jayamanne in the 1950s.
Kanupulage Ugo Singho, popularly known as Hugo Master or Hugo Fernando, was an actor and composer of Sri Lankan cinema. Debuting in the first Sinhalese film Kadawunu Poronduwa, Fernando had an over 50-year career also as a lyricist, assistant director and music director.
Nona Yuhan Sheriffdeen [Sinhala]), popularly as stage name Jemini Kantha, was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema. One of the earliest pillars of Sinhala cinema, Kantha is considered as the first female comedian in Sinhala cinema. She was a pioneer comedy actress known as "Josi Baba" and singer in early Sri Lankan cinema.
Hai Master is a 2007 Sri Lankan Sinhala comedy, action film directed by Ranjith Siriwardena and produced by Suranga de Alwis. It stars Jeevan Kumaratunga, Dilhani Ekanayake, comic duo Bandu Samarasinghe, and Tennyson Cooray in lead roles along with Freddie Silva, Lionel Deraniyagala, Sunil Hettiarachchi and Wilson Karunaratne. It is the 1091st Sri Lankan film in the Sinhala cinema.
Jonsun and Gonsun, or colloquially as Jonson and Gonson, is a 2001 Sri Lankan Sinhalese romantic comedy film directed by Roy de Silva. It stars Ranjan Ramanayake, Tennyson Cooray, and Sangeetha Weeraratne in lead roles along with Gemunu Wijesuriya, Jayantha Bopearachchi and Sunil Hettiarachchi. Music composed by Somapala Rathnayake. It is the 959th Sri Lankan film in the Sinhalese cinema.
Clean Out is a 2003 Sri Lankan Sinhala comedy film directed by Roy de Silva and produced by Sunil Aruna Weerasiri for Aruna Kanthi Films. It stars Rodney Warnakula, Priyantha Seneviratne and Ananda Wickramage in lead roles along with Anusha Damayanthi and Vasanthi Gunaratne. Music composed by Sangeeth Wickramasinghe. It is the 1026th Sri Lankan film in the Sinhala cinema.
Cheriyo Captain is a 1995 Sri Lankan Sinhala comedy film directed by Roy de Silva and produced by Thilak Atapattu for TK Films. It is the second film of Cheriyo film series, which is sequel to Cheriyo Doctor. It stars Joe Abeywickrama, Sabeetha Perera and Cletus Mendis in lead roles with Sanath Gunathilake and Bandu Samarasinghe. Music for the film is done by Somapala Rathnayake. It is the 839th Sri Lankan film in the Sinhala cinema.
Denipitiya Vithanage Sumana Amarasinghe was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema and television. Highly versatile actress from drama to comedy, she is usually known as the Sweet girl in Sinhala cinema. Apart from acting, she also worked as an assistant director, production manager, costume designer as well as a producer. She was also the only actress to contribute to the production, singing, co-directing and co-editing of Sri Lankan cinema.
Cheriyo Darling is a 1996 Sri Lankan Sinhala medical mystery romantic comedy film directed by Roy de Silva and co-produced by director himself with his wife Sumana Amarasinghe for RS Films. It is the third film of Cheriyo film series, which is sequel to Cheriyo Captain. It stars Joe Abeywickrama, Dilhani Ekanayake and Bandu Samarasinghe in lead roles along with Tennison Cooray, Ronnie Leitch, Freddie Silva, Wimal Kumara de Costa, Ravindra Randeniya, Sanoja Bibile, Sumana Amarasinghe & Damith Fonseka in supporting roles. Music for the film is done by Somapala Rathnayake and it is the 863rd Sri Lankan film in the Sinhala cinema. Widely regarded as one of the greatest Sri Lankan films ever made, Cheriyo Darling is the only Sri Lankan film in history to get a rating of 90% in the official 'Films.lk' Sinhala Cinema Database.
Cheriyo Doctor is a 1991 Sri Lankan Sinhala romantic comedy film directed by Roy de Silva and produced by Thilak Atapattu for TK Films. It is the first film of Cheriyo film series, which continued with three more films in 1995, 1996 and 2002. It stars Joe Abeywickrama, Sanath Gunathilake and Sabeetha Perera in lead roles along with Bandu Samarasinghe, Tennison Cooray and Freddie Silva. Music for the film is done by Somapala Rathnayake. It is the 734th Sri Lankan film in the Sinhala cinema.
Meemanage Mary Magdalene Leticia Peiris [Sinhala]), popularly as Leticia Peiris, was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television. One of the earliest pillars in Sri Lankan film history, Peiris had a career that spanned more than five decades. She is the last acting link of the Jayamanne lineage.
Christhu Charithaya is a 1990 Sri Lankan Sinhala biographical film directed by Sunil Ariyaratne and produced by Alerik Lionel Fernando. It stars Vijaya Kumaratunga as Jesus along with ensemble cast of popular film artists. Music composed by Premasiri Khemadasa. It is the 712th Sri Lankan film in the Sinhala cinema.
Emanuel Anthony Bertram Fernando, popularly known as Bertram Fernando, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema and stage drama.
