Sri Wickrama is a 2023 Sri Lankan Sinhala biographical historical film directed by Mohan Niyaz and produced by Dr Gihan Godakanda for Vendol Media Network. The screenplay was written by Ajith Dharmasooriya and is based on early Sri Lankan chronicles that recount the ascent to the throne and the eventual downfall of Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, the last king of the Kandyan Kingdom (1798–1815).
Production
- Director: Mohan Niyaz
- Writer: Ajith Dharmasooriya
- Producer: Dr Gihan Godakanda (Vendol Media Network)
- Cinematography: Sajitha Weerapperuma
- Editing: Anura Bandara
- Music: Farhan Shan (background) and Dinesh Subasinghe (songs)
- Budget: Approximately 800 Lakhs Sri Lankan rupees
Principal photography was completed by the end of 2018, with post‑production delayed due to the COVID‑19 pandemic. Filming took place over 65 days across several Sri Lankan locations, including Kandy, Colombo, Dambulla, Anuradhapura, and a purpose‑built set replicating the Dalada Maligawa in Warakapola.
Cast
- Akhila Dhanuddhara as King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha
- Chulakshi Ranathunga as Queen Consort Sri Venakatha Rangammal Devi
- Sriyantha Mendis as Pilimatalawe Maha Adikaram (the powerful prime minister)
- Shyam Fernando as Keppetipola Disawe
- Roshan Pilapitiya as Ehelepola Nilame
- Supporting roles feature Vathika Ravinath, Jagath Epaladeniya, Buddhadasa Vithanarachchi, Palitha Silva, among others.
Release and Reception
The film premiered on 1 June 2023 and has a running time of 140 minutes. Distributed by Ridma Theatres, it was screened nationwide in Sri Lanka. Critical response highlighted the film’s elaborate period sets, costuming, and its attempt to dramatize a contentious chapter of Sri Lankan history, though some reviewers noted mixed opinions on narrative pacing.
Historical Context
While the film is a dramatized portrayal, it centers on the reign of Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, the last monarch of the Kandyan Kingdom before its annexation by the British in 1815. The king’s rule is historically noted for internal court intrigues and resistance to colonial encroachment, themes that the film seeks to depict through personal and political drama.
Significance
"Sri Wickrama" represents one of the more ambitious contemporary Sri Lankan historical epics, contributing to a growing body of Sinhala-language cinema that explores national heritage and colonial-era events. Its production values and focus on a pivotal monarch have sparked renewed public interest in the late‑Kandyan period.