Gamani (ගාමනි) is a 2011 Sri Lankan Sinhala war thriller and biographical film based on true events surrounding the 1999 Gonagala massacre. Directed by Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara, it portrays the resilience of a rural village and their home guards defending themselves against terrorist attacks.
🎥 Runtime: 158 minutes
📅 Release: 2011
🎭 Genre: War / Thriller / Drama
- Title: Gamani (ගාමනි)
- Release Year: 2011
- Director: Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara
- Producer: Upali Rajapakse
- Main Cast: Dilhani Ekanayake, Bimal Jayakody, Sanath Gunathilake, W. Jayasiri, Mahendra Perera, Jagath Chamila
- Genre: War / Thriller / Drama
- Language: Sinhala
Based on true events, Gamani centers on the tragic Gonagala massacre of August 25, 1999, where 57 innocent civilians were slaughtered by terrorists. Initially, the village's Home Guards were highly disorganized and poorly trained, leaving them unable to protect the community. The story follows a newly appointed school teacher and a Sri Lanka Army Major who step up to guide the villagers. Together, they establish defense committees and train the Home Guards alongside the military, eventually transforming them into a formidable force capable of repulsing subsequent terrorist attacks. The film also showcases traditional Angampora martial arts and highlights the enduring humanity and cordial relationships among different communities during a dark era of civil war.