Dayananda Gunawardena

Gundwardena's first notable play was Nari Bena (1961), based on a Sinhala folk story. Lionel Algama helped write some of its memorable songs, such as "Ahala malin gas pirila balanna hari lassanai" and "Kumatada sobaniye kandulu salanne". It became popular and continued to be performed for forty years.[3][4] His next play, Bakmaha Akunu (1962), based on the French drama The Marriage of Figaro, was made into a film. Kaamare Pore (1962), produced as a single stage drama in Sinhala, is an adaptation of the play Box and Cox by English playwright John Maddison Morton. It was first staged without songs.[3] Gunawardena produced sixteen plays. Particularly notable are Gajaman Puwatha (1975) and Madhura Javanika (1983).[1] He directed NariBena under the Cultural Exchange Programme (1978).

He formed the Nalu Kirthi Sabha Theatre Group in the 1970s.[5] Gunawardena is credited with introducing docudramas to the Sinhala theatre and with showcasing the talent of Sinhala poet Gajaman Nona.[3] His Gajaman Puwatha (1976) was the first Sinhala play to adopt the docudrama style.[6] Another notable play of Gunawardana is Madhura Javanika (Joyous Scenes).[1] This drama picks up the period of war between kings Rama and Ravana, noteworthy events in the country's history and the influence of the western invaders on Sri Lankan culture with the dramatized chronicle of the Hingala (Sinhala) people. It continues into modern times where women seek employment in Dubai as housemaids.[1] In 2007 some of his plays were restaged in an attempt to raise funds for reviving public interest about his works.[5]

He produced programs for Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (1961–1989). He directed programs there for Audio Research (1989–1990) and English Service (1990–1992).

• Swarnathilaka– 1958 – Produced by Kegalu Vidyalaya Drama Society
• Paraassa – 1959 – Staged by National Drama Circle
• NariBena -1960 – First Production for Thurstan College Drama Society, 1961 – Second Production for Amateur Drama Society
• Kamare Pore – 1960 – Adaptation from English Drama "Box and Cox"
• Emathi Pattama– 1960 – Adaptation from the Bulgarian Drama "Golemanov"
• Pinguththara– 1961 – Produced by the Sinhala Society of the University of Colombo
• Bakmaha Akunu– 1963 – Adaptation of the French Drama "Marriage of Figaro" (Introduced the Revolving Stage to Sri Lanka for the first time)
• Denna Depole– 1964 – Produced from Hemasiri Prewardhana’s script
• Jasaya Saha Lenchina– 1965
• Jeevana Vanchawa hewath Ibikatta– 1965
• Vikaraye Akaraya– 1967 – Produced for the Drama Festival of ‘Lassana’ Newspapers
• Kabaye Habe– 1971
• Padmawathi– 1974 – Produced along with Lakshman Jayakody after editing the original publication of Charles Dias
• Gajaman Puwatha – 1975
• Banku Natakaya - 1977 - Produced for the 10th Anniversary of the People’s Bank
• Madhura Javanika– 1983 – Produced in association with Jones Overseas 1984 – Winner of Peace Award (Drama)
• Ananda Jawanika– 1986 - Awarded Best Direction and Special Award for Script at the 1987 State Drama Festival. In addition, certificates awarded for Best Music, Stage Management and Acting.
• Mathaka Bhaktha– 1990 – Produced on the invitation of the Police Sub Services Headquarters

Bak maha Deege– 1969 (Following the Bakmaha Akunu Drama)

• Kurulu Bedda
• Ran Salu
• Wesathuru Siritha