[6] 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 (English: Death on a Full Moon Day), a first for a Sri Lankan.

[9] Abeywickrama was born on 22 June 1927 in Lellopitiya, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka and grew up in a rural area.

Joe was married to Pushpa Kumari Karunarathna who is a Daughter of Civil Engineer and Architect.

Then Gamini Fonseka's wife Tina helped to exchange the letters between Joe and Pushpa.

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.

[4] Abeywickrama's first notable role was in Saradama directed by T. Somasekaran as an eccentric police officer who collected ants.

Then he was invited to play a major role in the film Ranmuthu Duwa in 1962, where he acted with Gamini Fonseka for the first time.

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.

[5] In the film Beddegama directed by Lester James Peries, he played a critically acclaimed role as "Silindu".

[19] He also acted in many television serials such as Andu Kola, Vanas Pathi, Gamperaliya, Sakisanda Eliyas and Esala Kaluwara.

In the serial, he also wrote the theme song, "Una Puruke Balu Walige" sung by lead actor Anton Jude.

[10] On 21 September 2020, a special commemorative event was held on the ninth death anniversary of Joe Abeywickrema.