3. Mathu Yam Dawasa (2001)

Alternative title: Some Day In The Future

Language: Sinhala

Director: Dharmasena Pathiraja

Running time: 116 mins

Starring: Saumya Liyanage, Wasantha Moragoda, Radha de Mel

Director Dharmasena Pathiraja has always tried to bring his brand of Czech and Polish cinema inspired realism to Sri Lankan films. But by his own admission, the audience did not accept him and he was forced to give up making films from 1980-1994. Mathu Yam Dawasa is a triumphal return to form for him. Dealing with his pet themes of youth, unrest and unemployment, the film follows the lives of Dhammika and Lionel. Their dream is to escape Sri Lanka and go to Italy. But things do not go their way and they go on a violent crime spree. As critic Susitha R. Fernando says, "he had handled a similar theme in Ahas Gauvwa twenty five years ago with the film. It portrayed the everlasting youth problem a solution to which has not been found even after two decades had passed."