Sumathi Awards

The Sumathi Award ceremonies are held each year by the Sumathi Group of Company in recognition of the contributions made to the Sri Lankan teledrama industry and television programs.

[1] The Sumathi ceremony is one of the most popular television program events in Sri Lanka.

The Sumathi film awards ceremony began in 1995 with the leadership of Mrs. Milina Sumathipala.

Sumathi Group of Companies came forward and organized television festivals, acknowledging its significance and outstanding attainments to improve the quality of television programs to every age limit of the people and to acknowledge the behind the screen technicians to bring forward and value their efforts to Sri Lankan television.

[4] The third Sumathi Awards ceremony was celebrated in 1997 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on November 28, 1997, at 6.00 pm.

The National Youth Services Council and Sumathi Newspapers (Pvt) Ltd jointly organized the event where 38 prizes were offered to the winners in various categories of teledrama production including youth award.

A cash prize of SL Rs 50,000 was awarded to the best teledrama series and best single episode teledrama was awarded a cash prize of SL Rs 20,000.

Sumathipala memorial award was given to the king of Sinhala cinema, Gamini Fonseka.

For the first time, the U.W.S Sumathipala memorial award was given to two personalities, veteran actress Denawaka Hamine and music director Hugo Fernando.

Sumathipala memorial award was given to, veteran actress Iranganie Serasinghe and queen of Sinhala cinema, Malani Fonseka.

Sumathipala memorial award was given to, veteran actors Sathischandra Edirisinghe and Robin Fernando.

Sumathipala memorial award was given to, veteran actor Wijeratne Warakagoda and queen of Sri Lankan music Latha Walpola.

Sumathipala memorial award was given to, veteran actress Shanthi Lekha and popular broadcaster Shan Wickremesinghe.

[4] The thirteenth Sumathi Awards ceremony was celebrated at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall on 14 June 2008.

[4] The fourteenth Sumathi Awards ceremony was celebrated at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on 24 October 2009, accompanied by Nature's Secrets and MassCom Limited.

Sumathipala memorial award was given to, veteran actresses Clarice de Silva and Jeevarani Kurukulasuriya.

[4] The fifteenth Sumathi Awards ceremony was celebrated at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on 16 October 2009 with the participation of Shiranthi Rajapaksa as the chief guest.

[4] The sixteenth Sumathi Awards ceremony was celebrated at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on 16 November 2011 with the participation of Shiranthi Rajapaksa as the chief guest.

[19] The seventeenth Sumathi Awards ceremony was celebrated at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall on 3 December 2012, accompany with Lux.

[4][23] The eighteenth Sumathi Awards ceremony was celebrated at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall on 30 October 2013 with the participation of Shiranthi Rajapaksa as the chief guest.

[28] The twentieth Sumathi Awards ceremony accompany with Anchor, was celebrated at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre on 9 July 2015 with the participation of President Maithripala Sirisena as the chief guest.

Sumathipala memorial award was given to, popular artist, journalist A. D. Ranjith Kumara and veteran singer Indrani Wijebandara.

[32] The 21st Sumathi Awards ceremony was celebrated at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall on 18 August 2016 with the participation of President Maithripala Sirisena as the chief guest.

[35] The 22nd Sumathi Awards ceremony was celebrated at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre on 20 September 2017 with the participation of Honorable speaker Karu Jayasuriya as the chief guest.

Sumathipala memorial award was given to, veteran actress Nita Fernando and Swarna Mallawarachchi.

[38] The 23rd Sumathi Awards was held at Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre on 29 August 2018.

The 24th Sumathi Awards was held at Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre on 24 October 2019.

[42] The Sumathi Awards Committee has decided to evaluate the creations of the year 2020, even though the awards ceremony scheduled to be held in 2020 had to be postponed due to the global COVID-19 health epidemic rules.

[47] Out of 60 awards given, teledrama Weeraya Gedara Awith won 7 awards including best director, best actor, television series, supportive actress and child actor.

For the year 2020, teledrama Thanamalvila Kollek won 5 awards including best director, best script and supportive actress.