Prasanna Vithanage (born in 1962) is one of Sri Lanka's most notable filmmakers. His films have won many awards, both local and international.
He was involved in theatre ever since he left school. In 1992 he directed his first film 'Sisila Gini Gani' (Ice on Fire (film)). It won nine OCIC (Sri Lanka) awards including Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress. His fourth feature, Purahanda Kaluwara (Darkness on a Full Moon Day), came in 1997. It was initially banned by the government of Sri Lanka. Later the ban was lifted. It won the Grand Prix award at the Amiens Film Festival.
His wife is actress Damayanthi Fonseka, sister of Malini Fonseka.He was involved in theatre ever since he left school. In 1992 he directed his first film 'Sisila Gini Gani' (Ice on Fire (film)). It won nine OCIC (Sri Lanka) awards including Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress. His fourth feature, Purahanda Kaluwara (Darkness on a Full Moon Day), came in 1997. It was initially banned by the government of Sri Lanka. Later the ban was lifted. It won the Grand Prix award at the Amiens Film Festival.
Directed Films By Prasanna
Flowers of the Sky, 2008
Ira Madiyama (August Sun, 2003)
Pawuru Wallalu (Walls Within, 1997)
Purahanda Kaluwara (Darkness on a Full Moon Day, 1997)
Anantha Rathriya (Dark Night of The Soul, 1996)
Sisila Gini Gani (Ice on Fire, 1992)
Scripts By Prasanna
Ira Madiyama (2003)
Purahanda Kaluwara (1997)
Anantha Rathriya (1996)
Awards
Sisila Gini Gani
9 OCIC Awards including Best Director
7 Swarna Sanka Awards including Best Director
2 Sarasavi Awards
2 SIGNIS film awards
2 Sarasaviya film awards
8 Sri Lanka Film critics forum (affiliated to FIPRESCI) Awards including Best Director
Honourable mention at the first Pusan International Film Festival
Pawuru Wallalu
9 OCIC awards
6 Presidential Awards
10 Sri Lanka film critics (affiliated to FIPRESCI) awards
Best Actress (Singapore) Prize of the city of Amiens
GPCI Award
NETPAC Award at Amiens Film Festival
Puruhanda Kaluwara
5 SIGNIS film awards including Best Drector
4 Sarasavi film awards including Best Picture
Grand Prix - Amiens
NETPAC Award - Amiens
International Critic's Award - Fribourg
Best Actor - Singapore
Ira Madiyama
Grand Prix (Special Mention) "Le Regard d'or" - Fribourg International Film Festival 2004
FIPRESCI-NETPAC Award - 17th Singapore International Film Festival 2004
Best Film, Silver Award - Las Palmas International Film Festival 2004
Best Actress - Las Palmas International Film Festival 2004
Grand Jury Prize - 6th Makati Cinemanila International Film Festival 2004
10 Presidential Awards
9 Sarasavi Film Awards
