Cinema at 100: Sri Lanka Unveils Top 25 Masterpieces of the “Talkie” Era
By Lions Roar News Arts & Culture Desk
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA (December 29, 2025) – In a landmark celebration of heritage and storytelling, the Sri Lankan government has officially released a list of the Top 25 Sinhala Films from 75 years of “talkie” cinema (1947–2022). The announcement comes as part of the Centennial Celebration of Sri Lankan Cinema (1925–2025), marking a century since the birth of the nation’s film industry.
The list was compiled through an extensive survey involving 150 industry professionals, including critics, academics, and filmmakers. The official rankings were presented today at the Department of Government Information by Dr. Senesh Dissanaike Bandara, Chairman of the State Cinema Sub-Council.
🏆 The “Gold Standard”: Top 10 Ranked Masterpieces
Leading the list is the timeless classic Nidhanaya, directed by the late Dr. Lester James Peiris, widely regarded as one of the finest films ever produced in the region.
- Nidhanaya – Lester James Peiris
- Bambaru Avith – Dharmasena Pathiraja
- Gamperaliya – Lester James Peiris
- Welikathara – D.B. Nihalsinghe
- Hansa Vilak – Dharmasiri Bandaranayake
- Dadayama – Wasantha Obeysekera
- Para Dige – Dharmasena Pathiraja
- Parasathumal – Gamini Fonseka
- Thunmanhandiya – Mahagama Sekara
- Purahanda Kaluwara – Prasanna Vithanage
🎞️ A Legacy of 75 Years (1947–2022)
The remaining films in the prestigious Top 25 showcase the evolution of the Sri Lankan “talkie”—films where sound and dialogue redefined local storytelling:
- 11-15: Viragaya (Tissa Abeysekera), Me Mage Sandai (Asoka Handagama), Ahas Gawwa (Dharmasena Pathiraja), Pawuru Walalu (Prasanna Vithanage), Sathsamudura (Siri Gunasinghe).
- 16-20: Ira Mediyama (Prasanna Vithanage), Sulanga Enu Pinisa (Vimukthi Jayasundara), Delovak Athara (Lester James Peiris), Rekava (Lester James Peiris), Soldadu Unnahe (Dharmasena Pathiraja).
- 21-25: Ahasin Wetei (Vimukthi Jayasundara), Thunweni Yamaya (Dharmasiri Bandaranayake), Golu Hadawatha (Lester James Peiris), Haralakshaya (Titus Thotawatte), Mille Soya (Boodee Keerthisena).
📚 Launch of “Cinema Vimarshi” Centennial Journal
Coinciding with the film rankings, the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs launched a special scholarly anthology titled “Cinema Vimarshi – Sri Lankan Cinema Centennial Journal.”
This bilingual (Sinhala/Tamil) publication offers a deep dive into the 100-year journey of the industry, analyzing key directors and cinematic trends of each decade. For the Sri Lankan diaspora, including those in New Zealand, this journal serves as a vital bridge to the cultural roots and intellectual heritage of Sri Lankan art.
“This is a tribute to the pioneers who built our cinematic identity,” said Dr. Senesh Dissanaike Bandara. “From the first talkie in 1947 to the digital age, these 25 films represent the soul of our nation.”
