Derana Cinema of Tomorrow winner “Vihanga Premaya” secures global release via Lanka Events & IFMN
October 9, 2025 04:43 pm
Lanka Events, the leading overseas Sri Lankan film distributor based in Sydney and a strategic partner of TV Derana, has announced the global release of Vihanga Premaya (Peacock Lament), the 2025 Derana-Lux Cinema of Tomorrow Film Award winner for Best Film, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dr. Sanjeewa Pushpakumara.
The release will be coordinated through the Independent Film Makers Network (IFMN), linking Sri Lankan films with audiences across continents.
Vihanga Premaya follows Amila, a young man drawn into a baby trafficking ring to save his sister’s life, revealing the moral and social challenges faced in desperate circumstances. Co-produced between Sri Lanka and Italy, the film premiered at the Tokyo International Film Festival, earning the Best Artistic Contribution Award, and is now set to tour major festivals in Europe and Asia.
“This film is deeply personal to me,” said Dr. Pushpakumara. “It explores the moral ambiguities of survival and the fragility of human dignity. Seeing it recognised in Sri Lanka and now reaching international audiences is a dream realised.”
Through IFMN — a global network founded in 2000 with the support of the late filmmaker H.D. Premaratne — the network will oversee the rollout of Vihanga Premaya across Oceania, North America, and Europe, including festival screenings, theatrical runs, and eventual TV and streaming releases. The IFMN network connects distributors such as its co-founder Lanka Events (Australia), Srilankanz (New Zealand), and SrilanCan Events (Canada) to collaborate on coordinated launches and shared promotional campaigns.
Laksiri Wickremage, CEO of TV Derana, praised the film’s artistry, saying:
“Vihanga Premaya impressed our jury with its bold storytelling and courage in addressing difficult social truths. We are thrilled to see it representing Sri Lankan cinema on the global stage.”
Adding to this, Madhawa Madawala, COO of TV Derana, noted:
“Derana has always been a platform for emerging talent. The global release of Vihanga Premaya proves Sri Lankan films can resonate meaningfully with international audiences. Our long-standing partnership with Lanka Events continues to connect local creativity with global markets.”
Yasiru Multimedia Pty Ltd, the parent company of Lanka Events and Lanka Vision, has been a pioneer in promoting Sri Lankan entertainment in Australia for over four decades, earning SLIM Brand Excellence Awards in 2015 and 2017.
“We are honoured to lead the international release of Vihanga Premaya, ensuring Sri Lankan stories reach diaspora communities and global audiences,” said Kithsiri Karunaratne, CEO of Yasiru Multimedia and co-founder of IFMN. “This is not just a film release — it’s a cultural bridge that brings Sri Lankan artistry to the world.”
Dr. Pushpakumara, one of Sri Lanka’s most acclaimed contemporary directors, has built an impressive global reputation. His debut Flying Fish (2011) premiered at Rotterdam, and his second film Burning Birds (Davena Vihagun) won multiple international awards, including the Grand Prize for Fiction & Human Rights.
Starring Sabitha Perera and Mahendra Perera, Vihanga Premaya was co-produced by a Sri Lankan–Italian team including Amil Abeysundara, Sanjeewa Pushpakumara, Yuganthi Yashodhara Wathuhena, Andrea Magnani, and Chiaro Barbo.
As Vihanga Premaya reaches audiences worldwide, it represents a new chapter for Sri Lankan cinema — one of creative courage, international partnership, and growing global recognition.
