Saturday Mar 14, 2026
Saturday Mar 14, 2026
Saturday, 14 March 2026 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Nimmi Harasgama's Masterclass on Acting
Surangana Kathawak, Youth Theatre from Kalpitiya
From Hiran Abeysekara’s Olivier win to Ruwanthie de Chickera’s international curation, Sri Lankan theatre talent is currently commanding the world stage. At home, performances numbers and sell-out shows are rising and artists are putting forward exciting, distinct work; yet this vibrant, community-based art form, despite its celebrated local history remains relegated to “passion project” status for most practitioners due to chronic underfunding, structural and policy related issues, and neglect.
The ‘Kolamba Kamatha Festival’ (KKF) returns from 27 to 29 March 2026, to continue bridging that gap. Opening on World Theatre Day, this second edition is more than a celebration; it is a professional intervention designed to turn the “theatre gama” at the BMICH into a viable economic engine for over 450 artists from Colombo, Nuwara Eliya, Kurunegala, Matara, and beyond.
More than a performance: A professional hub
Under the leadership of BMICH Chairperson Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Festival Director Chanchala Gunewardena, and Festival Curator Bimsara Premaratna, the KKF acts as a unifying hub for the country’s diverse creative voices. By providing high-quality, purpose built infrastructure and direct funding, the festival supports creators in moving past pragmatic limitations to platform works of excellence.
The festival also fosters relationships between creatives and audiences from diverse regions by transforming the space into an engaged, three-day host. Beyond the stage, the grounds will feature food, drink, and hangout spaces, alongside activities like hand puppet making, face painting, and sketch artists to ensure a welcoming environment for all.
The 2026 lineup: 21 plays, 3 languages, 1 stage
The 2026 program features a mix of 8 full-length plays, 10 short plays, and 3 competition finalists. By showcasing multiple plays in all three languages on the same day, the festival intentionally breaks down genre and language silos, encouraging audiences to explore new performances they might have otherwise missed.
This year’s program highlights include:
n The Heavyweights: Acclaimed directors like Rajitha Dissanayake (Apey Gedara Gini Thiyayida/Will They Burn Our House Down), Indika Ferdinando (Rahasigatha Lipi Gonu/Secret Files), and Chalaka Ranasooriya (Ata Wana Buwaneka).
n Contemporary edge: Mind Adventures brings the lauded Poison, while Nicholas Kirutharshan of Kalam fame presents the provocative black comedy (I Have A Dream)
n New voices: The debut of Kaley Lamai, a Malaiyaga Tamil youth troupe, offers a trilingual performance exploring their community’s 200-year history.
n Youth and children’s theatre: Featuring the Stages Youth Ensemble, alongside national level school drama award-winners from Kurunegala.
n Late night theatre: Inspired by the Edinburgh Fringe, these “Adults Only” segments tackle modern relationships and violence (societal, communal, and individual).
A legacy for the future
The festival serves as both a classroom and a museum. Aspiring artists and curious attendees can access five masterclasses covering everything from scriptwriting and acting to technical know-how and production design. Simultaneously, a Sugathapala de Silva Retrospective exhibition connects Gen-Z to the “Apey Kattiya” movement of the 60s and 70s, known for its politically and socially aware theatre.
The KKF remains one of the most accessible major arts events in the country, with general tickets at Rs. 1,000 and student tickets priced at just Rs. 200.
Festival details and tickets: All details including participating theatre artists, play summaries and the festival’s programme www.kolambakamatha.com. You can also follow via Instagram and Facebook @kolambakamtha
The box office will publicly launch Monday 16 March both via the website, and also can be purchased in person at the Reservations office at the Kolamba Kamtha premises within the BMICH. Cargills (Ceylon) PLC has stepped forward once again as the festival’s lead Platinum Sponsor, to support local talent and reaffirming their longstanding support for the theatrical arts.
