Joe Abeywickrama

Deshabandu Gammana Patabendige Don John Abeywickrama (Sinhala:ජෝ අබේවික්‍රම) (22 June 1927 – 21 September 2011), popularly known as Joe Abeywickrama, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television. Initially famed as a comedic actor in early 1950s, Abeywickrama became one of the greatest film actors of all time in Sinhala cinema with several critically acclaimed award winning dramatic performances. Some critics and audiences regard him as the finest actor in the local industry, while others argue that distinction belongs to Gamini Fonseka . Among the three “crowned kings” of Sri Lankan cinema, Abeywickrama was the second to die, after Gamini Fonseka. The last to die was Tony Ranasinghe

He won 18 Sarasavi Awards and Presidential Awards. At the 1999 Singapore International Film Festival, Abeywickrama won a Silver Screen Award for Best Asian Actor for his portrayal of a grieving father in Pura Handa Kaluwara (Death on a Full Moon Day), a first for a Sri Lankan.

He was the first Sri Lankan actor to participate in the Filmfare Film Festival, which he attended in 1966.

Personal life Abeywickrama was born on 22 June 1927 in Lellopitiya, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka (at that time British Ceylon) and grew up in a rural area. He was the eldest of four children, with two sisters, Nanda Abeywickrama and Missie Abeywickrama, and a brother, Allan Abeywickrama. His surroundings instilled in him a strong appreciation of nature and hard work. His father had a close friendship with John D’Oyly, from whom Abeywickrama received his name, “Joe.”

He completed primary education at Dippitigala Mixed School near Lellopitiya. Then he joined Sivali Central College, Ratnapura for his secondary education and then joined St. Aloysius College, Ratnapura for a short period of time.

After completing his education, Abeywickrama worked as the manager of the Lellopitiya Co-operative with the support of his brother Allan Abeywickrama, who himself appeared in two Sinhala films. In the 1940s he settled in Colombo and started working for Sirisena Wimalaweera's studio Nawajeewana.

Joe married Pushpa Kumari Karunarathna, the daughter of a civil engineer and architect. He first met her while living next door to her family’s home. During those days, Joe would often follow her to the temple, hoping for a chance to speak with her. With the help of Gamini Fonseka's wife Tina who discreetly exchanged letters between them, their acquaintance blossomed into a romance. Joe and Pushpa eventually married and remained together until her death in 2007. They had two children: a daughter, Udeni Kumari Abeywickrama, and a son, Channa Abeywickrama.

Career After settling in Colombo he started working for Sirisena Wimalaweera's studio Nawajeewana. Initially limited to doing office chores, Abeywickrama eventually became involved in films screened in Ratnapura by the studio. He made contacts with film industry insiders while with the studio, and on his leave obtained a role in Devasundari.

Abeywickrama began his acting career in stage plays. In 1955, he made his film acting debut with a comedy role in Devasundari directed by M.H. Munas, a Sri Lankan who made films from India. In 1956, he made a role of "comedy detective" in the film Shri 296 directed by Premnath Moraes.

In the preceding years, he appeared in many dramatic roles in several critically acclaimed films such as Deepashika, Soldadu Unnehe, Chandiya, Sweep Ticket, Allapu Gedara, Ektam Ge, and Saravita. In 1965, he won the award for the Best Actor at the Sarasaviya Awards for his role "Sarayya" in the film Saravita. In 1971, he acted in the film Welikathara directed by D. B. Nihalsinghe, where he played the role of "Gorin Mudalali". He also starred in Mahagama Sekera's Tun Man Handiya in 1970. His other notable acting came through Getawarayo as "Semaneris", and in Sadol Kandulu as "dumb servant". For his role in the film Sadol Kandulu, he later won the Sarasaviya Award for the Best Actor. He won forty awards including both international and local film festivals. He also acted in many television serials such as Andu Kola, Vanas Pathi, Gamperaliya, Sakisanda Eliyas and Esala Kaluwara. He also made the script for the popular comedy serial Sabada Pabilis. In the serial, he also wrote the theme song, "Una Puruke Balu Walige" sung by lead actor Anton Jude. Meanwhile, he also sang the song "Wel Eliyata' in the tele drama Thahanchi. one of his television production. In 2004, he wrote the script of television serial Sakisanda Eliyas.

Author work Abeywickrama published his first novel Maha Bambata Muhunu Dekai in 1972.

Pirimiyek Nisa

Daruwa Kageda

Ranmuthu Duwa Sena

Deva Sundari

Wena Swargayak Kumatada

Deepashika

Hete Pramada Wediyi

Getawarayo Semanaris

Suba Sarana Sepa Sithe

Sithaka Mahima

Chandiya Peda

Sathutu Kandulu

Saaravita Bamunusinha Arachchige Gunahamy 'Saraiya'

Hithata Hitha

Allapu Gedara Kapila

Satha Panaha

Sweep Ticket

Landaka Mahima Mohan

Kommissar X – Drei gelbe Katzen Police constable

Sengawena Sewanella

Mahadena Muththa Polbemuna

Senasuma Kothenada

Athulweema Thahanam

Seegiri Kashyapa Rala

Kapatikama

Parasathu Mal

Sorungeth Soru

Manamalayo

Daru Duka

Sendol Kandulu

Punchi Baba Sena

Akka Nago

Amathikama Mudalali

Dahasak Sithuvili Sunny

Adarawanthayo

Ataweni Pudumaya

Senehasa

Oba Nethinam

Narilatha Alpenis

Hari Maga

Baduth Ekka Horu

Uthum Sthree

Prawesam Wanna

Para Walalu

Pancha

Romeo Juliet Kathawa

Lakseta Kodiya Pinsiri

Thewatha

Tun Man Handiya Abilin

Seeye Nottuwa

Welikathara Goring Mudalali

Haralaksaya

Chandar, the Black Leopard of Ceylon Father

Weeduru Gewal

Mathara Aachchi

Thushara

Sadahatama Oba Mage

Kalyani Gangaa

Onna Babo Billo Enawa

Niyangala Mal

Raththaran Amma

Tharanga

Sooraya Soorayamai Abeywickrama

Sikuruliya Berty

Sadhana

Kalu Diya Dahara

Desa Nisa Nirudaka

Wasana

Madol Duwa Dharmasinghe gurunnanse

Kolomba Sanniya Andare

The God King Swami

Unnatha Dahai Malath Dahai

Onna Mame Kella Panapi

Hithuwoth Hithuwamai Alwis

Yali Ipade

Siripala Ha Ranmenika Simon

Gehenu Lamai

Siripathula Chanting man

Selinage Walauwa

Sara Gajanayake

Veera Puran Appu Gongalegoda Banda

Bambaru Avith Anton Aiya

Sally

Kumara Kumariyo Dharme

Sandawata Rantharu

Jeewana Kandulu Vimal

Hingana Kolla Vayya, Diyathalan Mama

Raja Kollo

Wasanthe Dawasak Samantenne Arachchi

Visi Hathara Peya Winson

Hari Pudumai Sugath

Tak Tik Tuk Detective Serasinghe

Jodu Walalu Suminda

Ektem Ge Wilson

Seetha

Aadara Rathne Bertholameus

Siribo Aiya Siribo Aiya

Bambara Pahasa Siripala

Dandu Monara Jinapala

Muwan Pelessa 2

Para Dige

Sinhabahu Sinha

Kolam Karayo Saarapala

Taranga

Baddegama Silindu

Rail Paara Rail Guard

Kadaunu Poronduwa Hemapala

Ran Mini Muthu

Sandamali

Sumithuro

Niliyakata Pem Kalemi

Samuganimi Ma Samiyani

Suboda

Muwan Pelessa 3

Monara Thenna 2

Peter of the Elephants

Muhudu Lihini

Shirani

Thaththai Duwai Lavuris

Podi Ralahami Podi Ralahami

Sasara Chethana

Wadula

Hima Kathara

Sahodariyakage Kathawa

Suddilage Kathaawa Ex-Village Headman

Maldeniye Simion Simion

Dev Duwa Mohomed

Pooja Jamis (the executioner)

Aadara Hasuna Army officer (Colonel)

Viragaya Jayasena, Aravinda's father

Rasa Rahasak Hitler Abeynayake

Angulimala Disapamok

Palama Yata Uncle

Golu Muhude Kunatuwak Podi Mahaththaya

Cheriyo Doctor Chief psychiatrist

Sthree Appuhamy

Umayanganaya The eldest brother

Ambu Samiyo Doctor

Awaragira K.B. Sethigala

Cheriyo Captain Captain Doson

Hitha Honda Gahaniyek

Loku Duwa Mr. Palihawadana

Cheriyo Darling Chief psychiatrist

Bithu Sithuwam Senaka

Suddu Akka Blacksmith

Vimukthi

Theertha Yathra Father

Saroja Indigenous doctor

Rajya Sevaya Pinisai Sumanasekara

Purahanda Kaluwara Vannihamy

Aswesuma Guneris – old age

Dheewari Mudalali

Alimankada

Tikiri Suwanda Devendra

Mahindagamanaya Mantha

Selvam Sathyavelu

Prathiroo Siyathu

Abhinikmana Buddhadasa's Father

Awards Sarasaviya Film Award

Presidential Film Awards

Singapore International Film Festival

Presidential Film Awards

Sri Lankan National Honours