Sidu also known as Malee 3 ^[1] is a 2016 Sri Lankan long-running teledrama and is the third installment in the Malee TV series which aires in 2011–12 ^[2] broadcast on TV Derana. It is a sequel to the 2013 teledrama Aththamma (Malee 2) and follows the story of Malee's son, Sidu who is abducted by his mother's former foes, and the boy's friendship with a young Buddhist monk.^[3] Sidu is written by Saman Edirimunee and directed by Thilina Boralessa.^[4] This drama aired from 8 August 2016 to 7 January 2022. A sequel named Shakthi (Sidu 2) aired from 10 January 2022 to 4 August 2023.

Sidu who inherits wizarding powers, returns to Sri Lanka from England with his father, Nirmal.^[5] However, he is kidnapped by his mother's former foe, Ukkuwa and his son, Nandipala. Ukkuwa erases Sidu's memory. Nandipala, pretending as Sumanasiri, elopes to a rural village named, Polpithigama. He introduces Sidu as his nephew, Malitha and works to a gem businessman, Manchanayake. Sidu befriends with a little Buddhist monk of Polpithigama temple, Soratha Thero.

Sidu's mother and sister, Malee and Theruni return to Sri Lanka to search Sidu. Manchanayake tries to locate a hidden ancient treasure, which belongs to Sidu. He finds Sidu's drawing related to the ancient treasure and decides to use Sidu to find it.

After twists of turns, Sidu's family find out him and relocates to Polpithigama as Sidu's wish. Soon, Sidu learns about the treasure and finds it, using his powers. He uses his power to help people. Meanwhile, Rohita tries to take away his son, Subodha Thero from temple to save his property. He seeks help from Nandipala for it when Subodha Thero's sister, Tharumini and her mother, Sumitra visit Rohita's father, Dissanayake as servants. Soon, Sumitra reveals her true identity and Dissanayake accepts them.

In this time, A witchcraft practised woman, Deepa comes to Sidu's village. She learns about Sidu's magic and tries to destroy his powers. But, it fails when Head Monk and Rahula Monk save Sidu. Enraged, Deepa puts Rahula Monk's life in danger. But, Head Monk learns about Deepa's power and destroys her plan. After that, Deepa fails again and loses her powers. Then, Rahula Thero recovers and returns to the temple.

One Day, Soratha Thero learns that Subodha Thero is Rohitha's son. Soratha Thero shocks and goes missing, shocking everyone. A guest hunter, Sisira finds unconscious Thero, who resembles his late son. He keeps Thero in his cave. Eventually, Sidu finds Thero with Sisira and brings them to temple.

Meanwhile, Ranga and Gayani's marriage is fixed by Dilum. Ranga forces Dilum to marry Theruni. Ranga-Gayani and Dilum-Theruni get married. After that, Sidu leaves the country. Dingiri's soul comes to meet Theruni as Poorna. Theruni practices ayurvedic from her.

Later, A puppet master, Mawathe enters to Polpithigama. He is revealed to be Malee's long-lost brother, Shakti. He falls in love with Tharuka, a school teacher. Finally, Nandipala turns good realizing his mistakes and Mawathe learns his truth from Theruni and Poorna.

Sidu teledrama became popular within a short time and the creator TV Derana claims that Sidu became the top-rated teledrama in Sri Lanka in 2016.^[7] But critics criticized the teledrama for excessively lengthy storylines and the use of Buddhist monastery in drama.^[8][9]

• Malee