Asoka Handagama was born in 1962 in South Sri Lanka. He studied mathematics, before working for Sri Lanka’s Central Bank. He is considered as one of the “Third Generation” in Sri Lankan cinema. Asoka Handagama's entry to filmmaking was via theatre and television. His first two plays gained immediate recognition as they won several awards, but he had his true break-through with Magatha. He started to direct movies for television. His debut feature Moon Lady won many awards but he gained international recognition with This is my Moon (2000)