This small article on Sri Lankan film makers are purely a celebration of one of the two most greatest filmmakers I consider who illuminated my childhood to the adulthood. They both have different traits and unique perspective and approach to filmmaking greats.
First is Somaratne Dissanayake, a doctor in profession who worked in Australia and later became a filmmaker. He directed Saroja (2000), Punchi Suranganavi (2002), Sooriya Arana (2004), Samanala thatu (2006), Siri raja siri (2008), Bindu (2009), Siri Parakum (2013) and Sarigama (2016). These are infused with children films themes but with a more social and cultural aspects that are deeply affecting the local cultural scene of Sri Lanka. He discusses racial discrimination, child labour, education, love and animal cruelty in the context of Sri Lanka with a children's perspective.
Now these films are all the local films that coloured my childhood and therefore I consider them as very valuable film personally. To be honest I cried in every film of his. They are very powerful films. His films were very commercially viable as well.
And the second film maker is Mr. Jayantha Chandrasiri. He is considered as one of the best film makers in the local context. Agnidahaya (2002), Guerilla Marketing (2005), Samanala Sandwaniya (2013) and Maharaja Gemunu (2015) are his cinematic achievements. He also created many tele dramas like Weda Hamine (1990), Dandubasnamanaya (1995), Akala Sandya (1996), Rajana (1999) and Sathara Denek Senpathiyo ( 2009). All these reflect upon the Sri Lankan society but unlike other film makers Mr. Jayantha Chandrasiri taps into the human psychology, subcultures and very extreme niches of sociocultural aspects of Sri Lanka. His ability to hypnotically expand many stories with vast storylines and subject matter is considered a great skill and talent which is unique to him. So personally I'm a big fan of his work.
The sole objective of this article is to establish and identify greats in Sri Lankan cinematic world and embrace them personally.
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