Early life and career

Obeysekera graduated from the University of Ceylon

University of Ceylon

The University of Ceylon was the only university in Sri Lanka from 1942 until 1972. It had several constituent campuses at various locations around Sri Lanka. The University of Ceylon Act No. 1 of 1972, replaced it with the University of Sri Lanka which existed from 1973 to 1978. In 1978 it was...

 in 1962. He served on the Editorial Staff of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited from 1964 to 1970. In addition to his editorial work, Obeysekera wrote several short stories during this period.

Obeysekera entered the film industry with Sath Samudura

Sath Samudura

Sath Samudura is a landmark Sri Lankan film directed by professor Siri Gunasinghe and released in 1967. This film was critically acclaimed and is considered a major work in Sri Lankan cinema....

in 1967 which he co-wrote and worked on as assistant director; it was Sri Lanka's entry at the Moscow International Film Festival

Moscow International Film Festival

Moscow International Film Festival , is the film festival first held in Moscow in 1959. From its inception to 1995 it was held every second year in July, alternating with the Karlovy Vary festival. The festival has been held annually since 1995....

. In 1971 he was awarded a certificate in Cinematography by the Comité de libération du cinéma français

Comité de libération du cinéma français

Comité de libération du cinéma français was an organization of filmmakers in France created in 1943. Most known members are Jacques Becker, Pierre Blanchar, Louis Daquin, Jean Painlevé, Jean-Paul Le Chainos. Members of this organization made projects for French cinema for after the War...

.

1970s

In the 1970s Obeyskera wrote and directed Ves Gaththo ("Masked Men") (1970), Valmathuwo ("Lost Ones") (1976), Diyamanthi ("Diamond") (1977) and Palangetiyo ("Grasshoppers") (1979). Palangetiyo won the Presidential Film Awards

Presidential Film Awards

Presidential Film Awards is a film award ceremony held in Sri Lanka. It is organized by the National Film Corporation along with the Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.-Best Playback Singer :...

 for Best Screenplay, Best Director and Best Film.

1980s

1983's Dadayama ("The Hunt") also won the Presidential awards for Best Screenplay, Best Director and Best Film. It was a commercial success as well. Obeyskera made Kedapathaka Chaya ("Reflections on the Mirror") in 1989 after a five year break.

1990s and 2000s

In the late-'90s, Obeysekera made Maruthaya ("The Storm") (1995), Dorakada Marawa

Dorakada Marawa

Dorakada Marawa is 1998 Sri Lankan film directed by Wasantha Obesekara is about the death of a newly-wed couple in a car crash....

("Death at the Doorstep") (1998) and Theertha Yathra ("Pilgrimage") (1999). These also secured several OCIC and Presidential Awards.

Salelu Warama ("Web of Love"), Agni Warsha, Aganthukaya, and Sewwandhi were made in the 2000s.