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Sri Lankan cinema recorded a historic milestone over the weekend as Dharmayuddhaya 2 delivered the highest opening-weekend performance ever by a Sinhala film, according to industry sources.
The crime-thriller sequel enjoyed an overwhelming response from audiences, with house-full screenings reported islandwide from its first day of release. Cinemas in Colombo, suburbs, and regional towns witnessed long queues and sold-out shows, reflecting exceptional public interest.
Approximately 53,000 moviegoers are estimated to have attended screenings during the opening weekend nearly three times the turnout recorded by the original Dharmayuddhaya during its debut in 2017. The upward trend in attendance from Friday to Sunday highlighted strong word-of-mouth momentum.
What stood out was the film’s nationwide appeal. Packed theatres were reported not only in major cities but also in rural and regional locations, including areas where Sinhala films rarely achieve such turnout. Several cinemas traditionally screening Tamil-language films also added extra shows due to high demand.
Industry analysts note that the film’s opening performance marks a defining moment for Sinhala cinema, demonstrating renewed audience confidence in local productions and the commercial potential of well-crafted sequels.
As Dharmayuddhaya 2 continues its theatrical run, expectations are high that it could go on to become one of the highest-grossing films in Sri Lankan cinema history, further strengthening its place as a landmark success.
