Major Throwback – ’90s Pop Culture in Sri Lanka

From Doo Daruwo to Soora Pappa, from Rookantha to Bathiya & Santhush, the 1990s saw an unprecedented boom in popular entertainment in Sri Lanka that defined an entire generation. This is a look back at the glory days.

Dilina Amaruwan Pathirage is a writer at Roar Media. He has a BA in Teaching English as a Second Language and has extensive experience in feature writing, content creation and writing for online media. He also been involved in video production during his stint at Yamu.lk, having being featured on a few videos of his own.

Dilina is a self-confessed film buff and a pop culture enthusiast.

Dilina is on Twitter at @dili.

Chav is a programming language pony by day and everything else by night. He’s on Twitter at @chav_.

Show Notes

1. Kopi Kade: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopi_Kade

2. Giraya, written by Punyakanti Wijenaike: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/9757220-giraya

3. Oshin (1983-): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367380/

4. Palingu Manike: Part 1, Part 2

5. Doo Daruwo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doo_Daruwo

6. Dandubasnamanaya, directed by Jayantha Chandrasiri: https://www.lankachannel.com/browse-dandubasnamanaya-teledrama-videos-1-date.html

7. Akala Sandya, directed by Jayantha Chandrasiri: https://www.lankachannel.com/browse-akala-sandya-teledrama-videos-1-date.html

8. Rathu Rosa Tele Drama Title Music: https://youtu.be/Hvpc07_polo

9. Desa Piyagath Kala (Live) – Clarence Wijewardena: https://youtu.be/yBRGWVxZ3ZA

10. Amba Yahaluwo: Episode 1 (Follow YouTube recommended videos to the right to watch the rest of the episodes)

11. Seven Iconic Teledramas In Sri Lanka’s Television History, Roar Media: https://roar.media/english/life/history/seven-iconic-teledramas-in-sri-lankas-television-history/

12. Sirasa FM: http://sirasafm.lk/

13. Bambara Pahasa by Rookantha Goonatillake: https://music.apple.com/lk/album/bambara-pahasa/1440268046

14. Tharuda Nidana Maha Rea – Nanda Malini: https://youtu.be/omF2yZqBqBc

15. Vasanthaye (1998) Original Video – Bathiya & Santhush: https://youtu.be/QhQ4oRt3igw

16. The Mask (1995–1997): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112064/

17. A multiple talent with a Divine calling, Sunday Times: http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170101/magazine/a-multiple-talent-with-a-divine-calling-221993.html

18. Five Sri Lankan Films That Were Banned By The Government, Roar Media: https://roar.media/english/life/culture-identities/five-sri-lankan-films-that-were-banned-by-the-government/

19. Songs from Always Breakdown: https://youtu.be/ZFj9mMDMy8Y

20. ALA (Api Nodanna Live): http://www.watch.lk/entertainment-and-reality-video/sirasa-tv/api-nodanna-live-entertainment-and-reality/117

21. Wela Langa Danga Karana ( From ALA): https://youtu.be/pmYM7EKUoE8

22. Pissu Poosa: https://sinhalacartoonworld.blogspot.com/search/label/Pissu%20Pusa

23. Dosthara Honda Hitha: https://sinhalacartoonworld.blogspot.com/2014/01/dosthara-honda-hitha_93.html

24. Dekirukana (1967–1990): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1286756/

25. Gnana Katha Malli Theme Song: https://youtu.be/1Rm8rDW9du0

26. Brum (1991–2002): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0217177/

27. Ocean Girl (1994–1997): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108885/

28. Space Cases (1996–1997): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115366/

29. Space: 1999 (1975–1977): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072564/

30. Crash Zone (1999–2001): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0220217/

31. Ghostwriter (1992–1995): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108787/

32. The Zack Files (2000–2002): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108787/

33. Spellbinder (1995– ): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112174/

34. Round the Twist: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaXbaeWUe9bnjOowu3xSDoQ/featured

35. Popular Mechanics for Kids (1997–2005): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0126169/

36. Ganga Dige | ගඟ දිගේ with Jackson Anthony: Episode 1

37. Muthuhara x Thanos meme: https://twitter.com/KaluMallii/status/1131461885805510656

38. Mega Movie Magic (1994– ): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108865/

39. Splat: Pilot

40. Namayai Paha: Sample episode

41. Atapattama: https://www.itntv.lk/magazine/atapattama/

42. Sellam Gedara: Sample episode

43. Saptha Kanya (1992) directed by H. D. Premarathne: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108043/

44. It’s a Matter of Time (1990), directed by Roy de Silva: https://youtu.be/6KD5W3USVtg
    It’s a Matter of Love, directed by Roy de Silva: https://youtu.be/MWSn1OgaEyU

45. Nommara 17: https://youtu.be/WTA47DO-lFA

46. Anaconda (1997): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118615/

47. Maha Sinhale Wansakathawa: https://varunamultimedia.com/videos/btv/vmtube2/sinhale-wansa-kathawa.html?1

48. The Incredible Hulk (1978-1982): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077031/

49. The Incredible Hulk Returns (1988): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095368/

50. Kung Fu (1972–1975): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068093/

51. The X-Files (1993– ): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106179/

52. Knight Rider (1982–1986): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083437/

53. Kawda Boy: https://sinhalacartoonworld.blogspot.com/search/label/Cow%20the%20Boy

54. Soora Pappa: https://sinhalacartoonworld.blogspot.com/2013/10/soora-pappa_87.html