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Cinema of
Sri Lanka
List of Sri Lankan films
1940s
1947 1948 1949
1950s
1950 1951 1952 1953 1954
1955 1956 1957 1958 1959
1960s
1960 1961 1962 1963 1964
1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
1970s
1970 1971 1972 1973 1974
1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
1980s
1980 1981 1982 1983 1984
1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
1990s
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
2000s
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
2010s
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
2020s
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029

Films produced in Sri Lanka in the 1950s.

1950

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
1950
Gambada Sundari George S. Wijegunaratne Sheela Peiris, Kingsley Jayasekera, E. C. Bulathsinhala, Vincent de Paul Peiris, Herbert Perera, Tilaka Siriwardena Drama Released on 27 January. First Sinhala colour movie produced in Ceylon. Only one was copy printed. A colour documentary on Kandy Esala Perahera was shown.
Hadisi Vinishchaya B. A. W. Jayamanne Rukmani Devi, B. A. W. Jayamanne, Bertram Fernando, Mabel Blythe, Stanley Mallawarachchi, Eddie Jayamanne, Herbie Seneviratne Drama Released on 26 May.

1951

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
1951
Seedevi Sirisena Wimalaweera D. R. Nanayakkara, N. R. Dias, Eddie Junior, B. N. Amaralatha, J. C. K. Rupawathie, K. W. Karuna Kumari, K. Hector Soysa Drama Released on 9 March.
Sengawunu Pilithura B. A. W. Jayamanne Rukmani Devi, Eddie Jayamanne, Stanley Mallawarachchi, Mabel Blythe, S. D. Elizabeth, B. A. W. Jayamanne, Leticia Peiris, Bertram Fernando Drama Released on 20 May 20. Tamil-dubbed version was released in December 1951 as Kusumalatha at Gamini (Maradana), Wembley (Kandy). The first Sinhala film to be dubbed in Tamil.

1952

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
1952
Banda Nagarayata Pemineema Raja Wahab Kashmeer
A. B. Raj 		Bernard Perera, Nanda Leelanayaka, Joseph Seneviratne, Malini Ranasinghe, Hugo Fernando, Berty Gunathilake, Chandanie Seneviratne Drama Released on 4 May. First movie produced entirely in Sri Lanka.
Umathu Vishvasaya B. A. W. Jayamanne Rukmani Devi, Eddie Jayamanne, Herbert M. Seneviratne, Sumith Bibile, Mabel Blythe, Leticia Peiris, Ruby de Mel Drama Released on 9 May.
Siri Sangabo Vernon Jayawardena Theresa Weerasinghe, Lakshmi Bhai, Edward Perera, Piyadasa Perera, Piyadasa Gunasekera Religious Released on 18 July. First movie to depict a Buddhist theme.

1953

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
1953
Eda Rae Shanthi Kumar Thilakasiri Fernando, Seetha Jayawardena, Shanthi Kumar, Herbie Seneviratne, Austin Abeysekera, Michael Sannasliyanage, Premnath Moraes Drama Released on 14 February. Debut playback singing for Latha Walpola.
Prema Tharangaya S. M. Nayagam Aruna Shanthi, Ayesha Weerakoon, Laddie Ranasinghe, Mark Samaranayake, Hugo Fernando, Richard Albert, Dharma Sri Ranatunga Romance Released on 27 March. Debut playback singing for Dharmadasa Walpola.
Pitisara Kella Sirisena Wimalaweera Theresa Weerasinghe, A. Shanthapriya, Malini Ranasinghe, L. M. Fernando, E. Marshall Perera, S. D. Elizabeth, S. H. Jothipala, Ayesha Weerakoon, Hugo Fernando Drama Released on 24 April.
Kele Handa B. A. W. Jayamanne Rukmani Devi, Stanley Perera, Rita Ratnayake, B. A. W. Jayamanne, Eddie Jayamanne, Mabel Blythe, Millie Kahandawala, Wimala Kumari, Udula Dabare Musical Released on 27 May. First movie based on a Sinhala novel.
Sujatha T. R. Sundaram Florida Jayalath, Prem Jayanth, David Dharmakeerthi, Dommie Jayawardena, Shanthi Lekha, Gemini Kantha, Bertram Fernando Drama Released on 26 June. Based on Bollywood film Bari Behen.
Puduma Leli A.S. Nagarajan Prem Jayanth, Clarice de Silva, Hugo Fernando, Nanda Leelanayake, Dharma Sri Ranatunga, Mark Samaranayake, Girley Gunawardana, Richard Albert Drama Released on 4 December.

1954

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
1954
Warada Kageda? T. R. Sundaram
D. V. Chari 		Prem Jayanth, Rita Ratnayake, Laddie Ranasinghe, Shanthi Lekha, Dommie Jayawardena, Udula Dabare, Christy Leonard Perera Drama Released on 9 April. Karunaratne Abeysekera made his film debut as a lyricist.
Iranganie B. A. W. Jayamanne Rukmani Devi, B. A. W. Jayamanne, Stanley Perera, Herbert M. Seneviratne, Herbie Seneviratne, Mabel Blythe, Eddie Jayamanne, Lilian Edirisinghe Drama Released on 10 April.
Saradiel Sirisena Wimalaweera Mathias Fernando, Theresa Weerasinghe, N. R. Dias, Girley Gunawardana, Devika Rani, S. H. Jothipala, Sebastian Jayasinghe, B. P. Wickremasinghe Biographical Released on 5 August.
Ahankara Sthree A. Bhaskar Raj Clarice De Silva, Ravindra Rupasena, Ratna Kumari, Hugo Fernando, Rohini Jayakody, Mark Samaranayake, Eddie Yapa, Leena de Silva Thriller Released on 17 September.
Radala Piliruwa T. R. Sundaram Laddie Ranasinghe, Rita Ratnayake, Dommie Jayawardena, Herbie Seneviratne, Millie Kahandawela, Shanthi Lekha, Udula Dabare Drama Released on 24 December. Based on W. A. Silva's novel with same name.

1955

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
1955
Surangani Cyril P. Abeyratne Eddie Junior, D. R. Nanayakkara, Pearl Vasudevi, Kanthi Gunatunga, Lilian Edirisinghe, Disna Ranjani, G. S. B. Rani Drama Released on 19 February.
Asoka Sirisena Wimalaweera Sumith Bibile, Pushpa Janet, Ananda Weerakoon, Eddie Yapa, Punya Heendeniya, Benjamin Fernando, Vimala Kumari, S. H. Jothipala Romance Released on 4 March.
Mathabhedaya B. A. W. Jayamanne Rukmani Devi, B. A. W. Jayamanne, Eddie Jayamanne, Mark Samaranayake, Senadheera Kuruppu, Peter Peiris, Mabel Blythe, Ruby de Mel Thriller Released on 14 April.
Seda Sulang T. Somasekaran Prem Jayanth, Florida Jayalath, David Dharmakeerthi, Piyadasa Gunasekera, Dharmasri Ranatunga, Lilian Edirisinghe, Dommie Jayawardena Drama Released on 24 June.
Mathalan A. S. Nagarajan Clarice de Silva, Shesha Palihakkara, Hugo Fernando, Mark Samaranayake, Peter Perera, Eddie Yapa, Bernard Perera, Pitipana Silva Drama Released on 27 August.
Perakadoru Bena A. Bhaskar Raj Rukmani Devi, Eddie Jayamanne, Mark Samaranayake, Ruby de Mel, Mabel Blythe, Kingsley Rajapakse, Baptist Fernando Comedy Released on 14 October.
Podi Putha Sirisena Wimalaweera Sirisena Wimalaweera, Ananda Weerakoon, Pushpa Janet, N. R. Dias, Malani Ranasinghe, S. H. Jothipala, Eddie Junior Drama Released on 25 November.

1956

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
1956
Dosthara K. Shankar Rukmani Devi, Eddie Jayamanne, Herbert M. Seneviratne, Hugo Fernando, Mark Samaranayake, Shanthi Lekha, Sirimathi Rasadari Drama Released on 2 February.
Dingiri Menika A. S. A. Sami Cyrus W. Surendra, Theja Seneviratne, Vimala Venetia, Bandula Sri Sarachchandra, Seetha Nanayakkara, Luman Rajapakse, Joseph Seneviratne Drama Released on 11 May.
Daiva Vipakaya B. A. W. Jayamanne B. A. W. Jayamanne, Senadheera Kuruppu, Dharma Sri Ranatunga, Mabel Blythe, Ruby de Mel, Shirley Blythe, Grace Jayamanne, Dudley Wanaguru Drama Released on 23 May.
Duppathage Duka T. R. Sundaram
K. Mithradas 		Laddie Ranasinghe, Hugo Fernando, Mark Samaranayake, Stanley Perera, Girley Gunawardana, Dommie Jayawardena, Kanthi Gunatunga Drama Released on 10 August.
Surathali Cyril P. Abeyratne Ravindra Rupasena, Leena de Silva, Ananda Jayaratne, Rohini Jayakody, L. M. Perera, Premila Kuruppu, Lilian Edirisinghe, Sirimathi Rasadari Romance Released on 12 September. First Sinhala film to be released through Ceylon Entertainments circuit. H. R. Jothipala made his film debut as a playback singer.
Ramyalatha A. Bhaskar Raj Aruna Shanthi, Clarice de Silva, Rita Ratnayake, Pujitha Mendis, Mark Samaranayake, Pitipana Silva, Boniface Fernando, Eddie Yapa Drama Released on 25 November.
Rekava Lester James Peries Ananda Weerakoon, Mallika Pilapitiya, D. R. Nanayakkara, Iranganie Serasinghe, Somapala Dharmapriya, Myrtle Fernando, Nona Zubeida Musical Released on 28 December. First Sinhala film photographed entirely "on location".
Sirakaruwa Sirisena Wimalaweera Sirisena Wimalaweera, Mathias Fernando, Marshal Perera, S. H. Jothipala, Upasena Wimalaweera, Shanthi Abeysekera, N. R. Dias, Piyadasa Wijekoon Thriller Released on 25 January.

1957

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
1957
Jeevitha Satana Shanthi Kumar Shanthi Kumar, Seetha Jayawardena, Herbie Seneviratne, Ayesha Weerakoon, Ananda Weerakoon, Shane Gunaratne, Millie Kahandawala, Shanthi Lekha Drama Released on 23 February. Based on Tamil film En Veedu (1953) & Hindi film Gumastha (1953).
Suraya T. R. Sundaram Laddie Ranasinghe, Herbie Seneviratne, Alfred Edirimanne, Rohini Jayakody, Kanthi Gunatinga, Hugo Fernando, S. D. Elizabeth Action Released on 29 March. Story based on Tamil film Thiruttu Raman (1956).
Siriyalatha S. S. Rajan Rukmani Devi, Herbert M. Seneviratne, Eddie Jayamanne, Mark Samaranayake, Ruby de Mel, Hugo Fernando, Leticia Peiris Drama Released on 27 June.
Le Kandulu K. Wellington Silva Ratna Kumari, Nanda Kumar, Arthur Titus, Shantha Wijesuriya, Noman Hettiarachchi, Oril Wanakulasuriya, Malani Fernando, Real Dewi Drama Released on 2 September.
Sukumali M. K. Samy
M. Masthan 		Laddie Ranasinghe, Ayesha Weerakoon, Rita Ratnayake, Ananda Weerakoon, Christy Leonard Perera, Sudas Maskorala Drama Released on 14 October.
Saradam T. Somasekaran Florida Jayalath, Stanley Perera, Joe Abeywickrama, Kingsley Rajapakse, Richard Albert, Sunil Premadasa Drama Released on 29 November. Film debut for Joe Abeywickrama.
Surasena S. M. S. Naidu Herbie Seneviratne, Kanthi Gunatunga, Rohini Jayakody, Eddie Jayamanne, Mark Samaranayake, Ruby de Mel, Dommie Jayawardena Action Released on 13 December.

1958

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
1958
Ekamath Eka Rataka Sirisena Wimalaweera Turin Fernando, Rita Doreen, Nanda Hettiarachchi, S. H. Jothipala, N. R. Dias, Malini Ranasinghe, Lilian Edirisinghe, Daya Karunaratne Drama Released on 14 February.
Vanaliya B. A. W. Jayamanne B. A. W. Jayamanne, Shirley Blythe, Dharmasri Ranatunga, Patricia Walker, Sumithra Walker, Mabel Blythe, Grace Jayamanne, Austin Abeysekera Drama Released on 21 February. Based on Tamil film Minnalkodi.
Sohoyuro A. Bhaskar Raj
L. S. Ramachandran 		Clarice de Silva, Aruna Shanthi, Ravindra Rupasena, Leena de Silva, Ananda Jayaratne, Pitipana Silva, Eddie Yapa, Joseph Seneviratne Drama Released on 15 March. Angeline Gunathilake made his first film as a playback singer.
Deiyanne Rate L. S. Ramachandran Senadheera Kuruppu, Punya Heendeniya, Dommie Jayawardena, Piyadasa Gunasekera, Rohini Jayakody, Jennie Winifrida, Alfred Edirimanne Drama Released on 1 May. Based on the novel by W. A. Silva.
Salli Malli Salli M. R. S. Mani Prem Jayanth, David Dharmakeerthi, Shanthi Lekha, Rosalind Fernando, Manel Samaranayake, Daya Abeysekera Thriller Released on 18 July.
Daskama Jyotish Sinha Ravindra Rupasena, Disna Ranjani, Dudley Wanaguru, Bertram Fernando, Millie Kahandawala, Shanthi Abeysekera Action Released on 25 July.
Suneetha P. Neelakantan Ravindra Rupasena, Rita Ratnayake, Kingsley Rajapakse, Leena de Silva, Christy Leonard Perera, Punya Heendeniya, L. M. Perera Romance Released on 21 August.
Sepali W. M. S. Tampoe Stanley Perera, Florida Jayalath, Mark Samaranayake, Rita Ratnayake, Anthony C. Perera, Christy Leonard Perera, Vincent Vaas Drama Released on 10 October. Story based on Hindi film Dulari (1949).
Vana Mohini A. Bhaskar Raj
T. R. Sundaram 		Herbie Seneviratne, Kanthi Gunatunga, Rohini Jayakody, Piyadasa Gunasekera, Hugo Fernando, David Dharmakeerthi, Richard Albert, Vincent Vaas Drama Released on 12 December. Story based on Tamil film Vana Mohini (1941).

1959

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
1959
Avishvasaya T. Somasekaran Prem Jayanth, Florida Jayalath, Joe Abeywickrema, Baptist Fernando, M. V. Balan, Kingsley Rajapakse, Sudam Wanigatunga Thriller Released on 4 February.
Ma Alaya Kala Tharuniya Sirisena Wimalaweera Aruna Shanthi, Ananda Weerakoon, Kumari Manel, Bandu Munasinghe, N. R. Dias, S. H. Jothipala, E. Marshall Perera, Piyadasa Wijekoon Drama Released on 20 February.
Daivayogaya S. K. Ojha Rukmani Devi, Senadheera Kuruppu, Eddie Jayamanne, Gamini Fonseka, Mark Samaranayake, Sirimathi Rasadari Drama Released on 18 April. Story based on novel by W. A. Silva.
Purusha Rathnaya A.S. Nagarajan Prem Jayanth, Clarice de Silva, Millie Kahandawala, Baptist Fernando, Eddie Yapa, Pitipana Silva, Piyadasa Wijekoon Drama Released on 9 May. Swarna Abeynayake became the first woman to produce a Sinhala film.
Sri 296 Premnath Moraes Punya Heendeniya, Joe Abeywickrema, Henry Jayasena, Sudam Wanigatunga, Kingsley Rajapakse, Sirimathi Rasadari, M. V. Balan Thriller Released on 20 May. Story based on Hindi film C I.D. (1956).
Sihinaya T. Janaki Ram Dommie Jayawardena, Rohini Jayakody, Senadheera Kuruppu, Asoka Ponnamperuma, Lilian Edirisinghe, Ayesha Weerakoon, D. R. Nanayakkara Crime Released on 3 July. Story based on English film Vendetta (1950?).
Gehenu Geta Jyotish Sinha
Kingsley Rajapakse
T. Somasekaran 		Henry Jayasena, Kumari Bibile, Dudley Wanaguru, Udula Dabare, Florida Jayalath, Vincent Weerasekera, Joe Abeywickrema Musical comedy Released on 24 July. Story based on English film The Fabulous Senorita (1952), Hindi film Albela (1951) and Tamil film Manamagan Thevai (1957).
Sirimalee Robin Tampoe Boniface Fernando, Sujatha Wijesekera, Asoka Ponnamperuma, Joe Abeywickrema, David Dharmakeerthi, Rita Carmaline, Christy Leonard Perera Romance Released on 11 September.
Hadisi Vivahaya B. A. W. Jayamanne B. A. W. Jayamanne, Shirley Blythe, Dharmasri Ranatunga, Ruby de Mel, Dudley Wanaguru, Mabel Blythe, Austin Abeysekera, Patricia Walker Drama Released on 14 November.

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