The National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka
Official Media Release
Lalith Rathnayake's Riverstone Selected as Sri Lanka's Official Entry for the 99th Academy Awards
Riverstone, directed by Lalith Rathnayake and produced by Prabath Roshan and Nimanthi Porage, has been selected as Sri Lanka's official submission in the International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards (Oscars). The selection followed a formal evaluation process carried out by the National Oscars Selection Committee of Sri Lanka (NOSCSL), a nine-member panel.
At the final stage, Riverstone and Father were shortlisted. Following independent voting by the nine committee members, Riverstone was selected unanimously.
The film features an ensemble of acclaimed Sri Lankan actors, including Mahendra Perera, Priyantha Sirikumara, Shyam Fernando and Randika Gunathilaka. Riverstone has been screened at international film festivals and has won a number of international awards.
Selection Process
Six films were submitted for consideration as Sri Lanka's official entry:
- Riverstone
- Father
- Cricket Saadhu
- Anthony
- Ayu
- Vihaga Premaya (Peacock Lament)
The submitted films were evaluated against the Academy Awards' eligibility requirements. Under Rule Sixteen, Section II, of the Academy Awards rules, films that receive non- theatrical public exhibition or distribution before their qualifying theatrical release are not eligible. Such non-theatrical exhibition or distribution includes television broadcasts, in- flight airline distribution, DVD distribution, streaming distribution, and internet transmission.
Ayu, directed by Chathra Weeraman, was released in Sri Lankan cinemas on 2 October 2025. However, it had previously been screened on M-Net television on 19 July 2020 and on Sri Lankan Airlines and Saudia flights in 2022. On the basis of the information provided to the committee, it was therefore deemed ineligible.
Vihaga Premaya (Peacock Lament), directed by Sanjeewa Pushpakumara, was released in Sri Lankan cinemas on 7 August 2026. Its debut had previously been made available on HBO Max from 1 March 2024 to viewers in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary and was therefore deemed ineligible.
Following the eligibility review, four films— Riverstone, Father, Cricket Saadhu, and Anthony—qualified for committee screening and evaluation. Riverstone and Father were subsequently shortlisted for the final stage.
National Oscars Selection Committee of Sri Lanka (NOSCL)
- Sudath Mahadivulwewa – Chairman Chairman of the National Film Corporation, Film Director, Film Producer, Film Screenwriter, Film Educator
- Asoka Handagama Film Director, Film Screenwriter
- M.D. Mahindapala Cinematographer, Film Educator
- Ravindra Guruge Film Editor, Film Producer, Film Educator
- Anomaa Rajakaruna Film Director, Film Producer, International Film Festival Director, Film Curator, Film Educator
- Aruna Gunarathna Film Journalist, Film Critic, Film Educator
- Visakesa Chandrasekaram Film Director, Film Producer, Film Screenwriter
- Lakshman Joseph De Saram Film Music Composer
- Udithe Lakmal Kahandawaarachchi – Committee Secretary Film Associate Producer, Film Line Producer, Film Journalist, International Film Festival Programmer, Film Promoter for International Film Festivals
