A Sinhala feature film

ක්‍රිකට් සාදුCricket Sadu

A film by Dilshara Jayamanna

A deeply human Sri Lankan story where parenthood, religion and the rules of the game meet.

Coming to cinemas worldwide

Official Cricket Sadu poster featuring a young monk holding a cricket bat beneath a blue sky
Official theatrical poster
Discover

Not every boundary is drawn in white.

Cricket is its language.
Its heart lies elsewhere.

Set against the intimate world of a rural temple and the wider emotional landscape of cricket-loving Sri Lanka, Cricket Sadu is a tender coming-of-age drama about childhood, sacrifice and the fragile line between obedience and freedom. Through the eyes of a child and the conscience of a recently ordained monk, the film explores what happens when sport, religion and social survival pull in different directions.

Written and directed by Dilshara Jayamanna, and shot on anamorphic lenses evocative of Hollywood's heyday, the film brings together an acclaimed ensemble in an intimate Sinhala-language drama made for the big screen.

The visual world

Shot on Anamorphic for that quintessential 35mm look
that's visual magic on the big screen

Two monks walking along a rural path at dusk
The journey
A young boy in a cricket cap smiling
Childhood
A young monk practising cricket on a village path
The game

Select a character to discover more

Cast

Priyantha Sirikumara as Dhammawansha Thero
01

Samantha Gunawardane / Bambalapitiye Dammawansa

Priyantha Sirikumara

A thoughtful monk whose rebellion is a quiet one. Observant, compassionate and gently unconventional, he sees possibility where others see a boundary.

Close character note
Damithu Fernando as the young Saddhamitta
02

Nuwan / Pahalagama Saddamiththa

Damithu Fernando

A gifted and spirited boy for whom cricket is joy, discipline and a way of imagining a wider world. His openness gives the film much of its wonder.

Close character note
Udayanthi Kulatunga as Kumari
03

Kumari

Udayanthi Kulatunga

A mother shaped by love, scarcity and impossible choices. The film meets Kumari without judgement, listening instead to the weight she carries.

Close character note
Dinakshie Priyasad as Samanalee
04

Samanalee

Dinakshi Priyasad

Warm, candid and seemingly carefree, Samanalee wears her heart on her sleeve. Her lively presence brings an unexpected energy to every room.

Close character note
Gayana Sudarshani, who plays Soma
05

Soma

Gayana Sudarshani

Practical, warm and rooted in her community, Soma brings a quietly perceptive human presence to the world around her.

Close character note
Hemasiri Liyanage as the Chief Incumbent
06

Chief Incumbent

Hemasiri Liyanage

The temple’s senior spiritual presence, gentle and unpredictable, whose moments of clarity carry a quiet moral weight.

Close character note
Sanath Gunathilaka as the Monastic College Principal
07

Monastic College Principal

Sanath Gunathilaka

An assured institutional figure, accustomed to rules, order and authority within the monastic world.

Close character note
Sriyani Amarasena as Madame
08

Madame

Sriyani Amarasena

An elegant and determined presence whose concern is personal, persistent and deeply felt.

Close character note
Chinthaka Kulathunga as the Senior Police Officer
09

Senior Police Officer

Chinthaka Kulathunga

A composed officer balancing procedure with the human complexity of the situation before him.

Close character note
Sampath Jayaweera as the Ex-Husband
10

Ex-Husband

Sampath Jayaweera

An assertive figure whose concern for his family is complicated by pride and unresolved tension.

Close character note
Tharindu Kavinda as the Angry Monk
11

Angry Monk

Tharindu Kavinda

A forceful voice within the monastic community, protective of tradition and quick to challenge what feels out of place.

Close character note
Sena Gunawardana as the Postman
12

Postman

Sena Gunawardana

A familiar village presence whose ordinary rounds quietly connect people and possibilities.

Close character note
Samantha Paranaliyanage as the Constable
13

Constable

Samantha Paranaliyanage

A dutiful officer navigating a situation that is more complicated than it first appears.

Close character note
Anuradha Perera as the Female Clerk
14

Female Clerk

Anuradha Perera

A sharp, attentive clerk whose professional composure is matched by a keen awareness of the people around her.

Close character note
Shyamila Kalhari as the Dress Shop Owner
15

Dress Shop Owner

Shyamila Kalhari

A lively, confident shop owner with an instinct for people and a direct way of speaking.

Close character note
Kumara Thirimadura as the Prisoner
16

Prisoner

Kumara Thirimadura

A weathered petty criminal whose colourful presence provokes the possibilities of darker alternatives.

Close character note
Lalith Prematilaka as Jayaratne
17

Jayaratne

Lalith Prematilaka

A commanding presence at the edge of the cricketing world, carrying the confidence of someone accustomed to being heard.

Close character note
Andrew Jayarathne as the Coach
18

Coach

Andrew Jayarathne

A practical cricketing mentor who understands how discipline, opportunity and temperament shape a young player.

Close character note
Samitha Sudeeshwara as the Jealous Dad
19

Jealous Dad

Samitha Sudeeshwara

An intense parent whose protective ambition reflects the pressures and rivalries surrounding youth sport.

Close character note
Tillekaratne Dilshan appearing as himself
20

Himself

Tillekaratne Dilshan

The celebrated Sri Lankan cricketer appears as himself, bringing the authority and warmth of lived sporting experience.

Close character note

03 / Watch & listen

Videos

Trailers, selected clips, conversations with the filmmakers and podcast appearances.

Cricket Sadu — Official Trailer

The first look of this special cinematic event

Watch on YouTube

Meet the cast

In their own words.

The cast shares their thoughts on the film

Gayana Sudarshani

Plays Soma

Udayanthi Kulatunga

Plays Kumari

Monks playing together on a rural path

Selected moments from the film

Coming soon
A monk in a quiet moment of prayer

Long-form conversations with cast and filmmakers

Episodes coming soon
Two monks feeding goats beside a lake

Behind the scenes of making Cricket Sadu

Coming soon

The filmmakers

Crew

The main filmmakers behind Cricket Sadu.

Written & directed by

Dilshara Jayamanna

Producer

Rasitha Jinasena

Co-Producer

Dilshara Jayamanna

Director of photography

Rangana S Bandara

Editor

Tharindu Kariyawasam

Music composer

Chinthaka Jayakody

Production designer

Namal Jayasinghe

Sound designer

Sasika Ruwan Marasinghege (MPSE)

Production manager

N Mahesh

Line producer

Heshan Miyuranga

Assistant director

Namal Bandara

Makeup

Narada Thotagamuwa

Costume designer

Soduru Lokupothagama

Art director

Janaka Bandara

DI colourist

Ananda Bandara (Best Pictures)

06 / Now booking

See it on the
big screen.

International screenings are rolling out city by city. Choose your region to view dates, venues and available seats.