[3] In 1954 he joined the government clerical profession and formed the Zonal Cultural Association with his office colleagues.

[5] During his life in Prince College, Kotahena, he met the teacher Edwin Hewa Kapuge who turned GDL's future towards drama.

In 1953, still as a student, he produced a short play titled Okkoma Pisso which was performed under the 'Kumara Ranga', the college's year-end concert.

During his life at the technical college, he met Walter Wimalaratne, where GDL polished his artistic abilities.

The play had background vocals like in the movies where the lyrics were imitations of Hindi film songs.

Later he has made several stage dramas such as Sakkara Vaṭṭam (1961), Mehev Lōkeka (1962), Hevanæli, Ihaṭa Vahala Nil Ahasayi, Sansāra Gamanak, Magul Mathē and Rathurōsa (1962).

[8] During this period, Sugathapala Senarath Yapa proposed that the production of the play Sama should be made into a film.

Finally, he directed the film Sama and made its premiere at the New Olympia Cinema Hall, Maradana on 15 June 1965.

In late 1968, he started short courses in film technology and taught cinema to young people.

[8][13] In addition, the Sri Lanka Critics and Writers' Association presented four awards for the film: Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography (for D. B. Nihalsinghe), Best Script and Best Character (for Henry Jayasena).

[10] He also directed the popular films Hora Police (1994), Igilena Kurullo (1970) and Dura Giya Gamanak.

At the same time, he made the first tele film in Sri Lanka called Winners and Losers in 1986.

[4] The serial Magul Mathe is said to be an adaptation of an English play which was the first drama to be telecast in Sri Lanka.

He was in charge of coordinating the audience response to the BBC Sinhala service, pioneered the compilation of 'Thepel Malla', which were published every Friday, reviewing listeners' comments.

He was also in charge of compiling the historical document based on BBC Sinhala service rendered since World War II and transcribing for a series of programs.

[3] He introduced many actors, actresses and composers to the Sinhala film: Buddhi Wickrama, Leoni Kotelawala, Dhamma Wanniarachchi, Sugathapala Senarath Yapa, Elson Divithuragama, Denawaka Hamine, Gamini Wickramasooriya, Nilanthi Wijesinghe, Jayatissa Alahakoon, Mallika Perera and Devananda Vaidyasekara are some of them.