Ediriweera Sarachchandra

Sarachchandra produced his first stylist play Maname in 1956 to

widespread acclaim. Maname is generally considered the first rea

l Sinhala drama, signaling the transition from the Nadagam or folk

 drama to the modern theatrical drama format. It was praised especially
for drawing influence from the traditional nadagam play style. He

 continued as a playwright, developing his play Sinhabahu in 1961

, which is widely considered as his best work. Most of his plays were adaptations from Buddhist

Jathakas or Sinhala folklore giving his work instant and lasting popularity with the population that

 identified with their roots.