Sarasaviya Awards is an award bestowed to distinguished individuals involved with the Sinhala cinema, each year by the Sarasaviya weekly newspaper in collaboration with the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited, Sri Lanka in recognition of the contributions made by them to the Sri Lankan film industry. The Sarasaviya ceremony is one of the oldest film events in Sri Lanka. The awards were first introduced in 1964. The Sarasaviya Awards have been often referred to as the Sinhala Cinema industry's equivalent to The Oscars.
The Sarasaviya Best Film Award is presented annually in Sri Lanka by the weekly Sarasaviya newspaper in collaboration with the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited at the Sarasaviya Awards Festival for the best Sri Lankan movie of the year. The award was first given in 1964. Following is a list of the winners of this prestigious title since then.
The Sarasaviya Best Director Award is presented annually by the weekly Sarasaviya newspaper in collaboration with the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited as part of the Sarasaviya Awards Festival. It was first given in 1964.
The Sarasaviya Best Actor Award is presented annually by the weekly Sarasaviya newspaper in collaboration with the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited at the Sarasaviya Awards Festival. The award was first given in 1964.
The Sarasaviya Best Actress Award is presented annually by the weekly Sarasaviya newspaper in collaboration with the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited at the Sarasaviya Awards Festival.
The Sarasaviya Best Supporting Actor Award is presented annually by the weekly Sarasaviya newspaper in collaboration with the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited at the Sarasaviya Awards Festival. Although the Sarasaviya Awards Ceremony began in 1964, this award was introduced in 1969. Following is a list of the winners of this prestigious title since then.
The Sarasaviya Best Supporting Actress Award is presented annually by the weekly Sarasaviya newspaper in collaboration with the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited at the Sarasaviya Awards Festival. Although the Sarasaviya Awards Ceremony began in 1964, this award was introduced in 1969. Following is a list of the winners of this title since then.
The Sarasaviya Most Popular Actor Award is presented annually by the weekly Sarasaviya newspaper in collaboration with the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited at the Sarasaviya Awards Festival. This award is decided solely on popular vote and is chosen based on the verdict given by the readers of the weekly Sarasaviya. Although the Sarasaviya Awards Ceremony began in 1964, this award was introduced two years later, in 1966. Gamini Fonseka was chosen as the most popular actor, that year. During the two decades from 1962 to 1982 Gamini Fonseka managed to retain this title marking the period from Ranmuthuduwa in 1962 to Sakvithi Suvaya in 1982 most appropriately as the Gamini Fonseka era. In the aftermath of 1983 for full five years continuously, the actor-turned politician, the late Vijaya Kumaratunga held the position of the most popular actor which devolved on Sanath Gunatilake, Jeevan Kumaratunga, and Ranjan Ramanayake successively after his demise.
The Sarasaviya Most Popular Actress Award is presented annually by the weekly Sarasaviya newspaper in collaboration with the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited at the Sarasaviya Awards Festival. This award is decided solely on popular vote and is chosen based on the verdict given by the readers of the weekly Sarasaviya. Although the Sarasaviya Awards Ceremony began in 1964, this award was introduced two years later, in 1966. Jeevarani Kurukulasuriya was chosen as the most popular actress, that year. Anula Karunathilake, Malini Fonseka, Geetha Kumarasinghe, Sabeetha Perera, Dilhani Ekanayake and Sangeetha Weeraratne were the actresses who were eventually crowned as the Most Popular Actresses.
The Sarasaviya Best Emerging Actor Award is presented annually by the weekly Sarasaviya newspaper in collaboration with the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited at the Sarasaviya Awards Festival. Although the Sarasaviya Awards Ceremony began in 1964, this award was introduced much later. Following is a list of the winners of this title since then.
The Sarasaviya Best Emerging Actress Award is presented annually by the weekly Sarasaviya newspaper in collaboration with the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited at the Sarasaviya Awards Festival. Although the Sarasaviya Awards Ceremony began in 1964, this award was introduced much later. Following is a list of the winners of this title since then.
The Sarasaviya Best Music Direction Award is presented annually by the weekly Sarasaviya newspaper in collaboration with the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited at the Sarasaviya Awards Festival. Although the Sarasaviya Awards Ceremony began in 1964, this award was introduced much later. Following is a list of the winners of this prestigious title since then.
The Sarasaviya Best Female Playback Singer Award is presented annually by the weekly Sarasaviya newspaper in collaboration with the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited at the Sarasaviya Awards Festival. Although the Sarasaviya Awards Ceremony began in 1964, this award was introduced much later. Out of the award-winning singers, Nanda Malini has won the most, 11 Sarasaviya Awards. Following is a list of the winners of this prestigious title since then.
The Sarasaviya Best Lyricist Award is presented annually by the weekly Sarasaviya newspaper in collaboration with the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited at the Sarasaviya Awards Festival. Although the Sarasaviya Awards Ceremony began in 1964, this award was introduced much later. Following is a list of the winners of this prestigious title since then.
Vasantha Obeysekera (1937-2017), was a great Sri Lankan film director and screenwriter.
Kalasuri Dona Meraya Denawaka,, popularly known as Denawaka Hamine, was an award-winning actress in Sri Lankan cinema and television. Known as "The grand old lady" of Sinhala cinema, she appeared more than 300 films and teledramas in a career spanned more than four decades.
Rita Irene Koys, better known as Shanthi Lekha, was a Sri Lankan Film actress. She played the role of mother in more films than any other actress in Sinhala cinema.
Rajakaruna Navaratne Atapattu Mudiyanselage Wijeratne Banda Warakagoda is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television.. Career spanning more than six decades, Warakagoda is also he is a singer and a voice artist in Radio Ceylon. He is best known for the role "Korale Mahaththaya" in radio sitcom Muwan Palessa.
Chathurika Jayamani Peiris is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema and television. She is best known for the roles in television serials Sepalika, Swayanjatha and Hiru Thanivela.
Sriyantha Mendis is a Sri Lankan film and teledrama actor. He made his debut as an actor in 1979 by portraying a role in a comedy stage drama called Ane Abilic After appearing in his first teledrama Palingu Menike, Sriyantha entered to the silver screen in 1987, through H. D. Premaratne's movie Mangala thegga. He won the Best Actor Award at the State Drama Festival in 1988 for his role in Mora drama.
