Sena Samarasinghe passes away

Mr. Sena Samarasinghe, a veteran film director, producer, and screenwriter who left an indelible mark on Sinhala cinema, has passed away. He was 89 years old when he bid farewell to life on January 29, 2026.

Mr. Samarasinghe, who lived his life centered in the Rambukkana area, was an artist who rendered immense service for the advancement of the country's film industry for decades.

Looking back at his artistic career, one can see a wide range of creative contributions spanning from the film 'Susi' released in 1974 to 'Sagara Peraliya' in 1998. Notably, films directed by him such as 'Kasthuri Suwanda', 'Nilla Soya', 'Mal Kekulu', and 'Chanchala Rekha' (1981) succeeded in winning the love of audiences throughout the years. In addition, he made a significant contribution to enriching the Sinhala cinema chronicle by directing numerous popular films like 'Ottui Baruwaṭa' (1987), 'Yali Hamuwenna' (1986), 'Sinha Pataw' (1986), and 'Bambara Kalape'.

In addition to film direction, Mr. Sena Samarasinghe also showcased his talent as a producer, producing the film 'Sadahata Ma Oba Mage' in 1973. Not limited to merely creating visuals, he also contributed to film music as a lyricist, and the popular songs from the film 'Athin Athata' released in 1983 bear witness to this. The award for Best Playback Singing at the 1984 Sarasaviya Awards ceremony for the song "Kandan Yannam" sung by Neela Wickramasinghe, included in that film, clearly demonstrates the artistic success of his creations.

Critics say that the demise of Sena Samarasinghe, who was an inspiration to several generations of filmmakers, marks the end of an era in Sri Lankan cinema history. Details regarding his final rites will be announced later.