Manawadu Estate Premiere at the Mahaweli Centre

On 20 December 2025, our team at SAT House Ltd reached an important milestone with the premiere of Manawadu Estate at the Mahaweli Centre.

It was a meaningful moment for everyone involved, marking the culmination of a long creative journey and the beginning of the film’s life with an audience.

Manawadu Estate was written and directed by Sanjaya Dissanayake and produced by SAT House Ltd, with Ayesha Shiwanthi Randeni, CEO and Managing Director of SAT House Ltd, serving as the producer. This project reflects our belief that strong ideas and careful execution can bring ambitious stories to life, even within limited resources.

The screening was an emotional and encouraging experience for the team. Watching the audience engage with the film’s tension, mystery, and atmosphere reaffirmed our decision to explore an unconventional narrative form. Manawadu Estate is Sri Lanka’s first sci-fi thriller created using a found-footage and screenlife approach, designed to feel raw, immersive, and real.

The film was made using low-budget filmmaking techniques, with a strong focus on storytelling, performance, and grounded visuals rather than large-scale effects. As the writer and director, Sanjaya Dissanayake embraced this approach from the very beginning. As a production team, we are proud of this process and are always open to sharing our experience and techniques with anyone interested in practical, alternative filmmaking methods.

The premiere at the Mahaweli Centre represents an important step forward for SAT House Ltd. As we move toward festival submissions and digital distribution, the response we received at the premiere continues to motivate us.

We sincerely thank everyone who supported the project and joined us for the screening. Manawadu Estate stands as a reflection of passion, persistence, and the belief that meaningful cinema can be created with honesty and heart.