Sumathi Awards () is an award bestowed to distinguished individuals involved with Sri Lanka's television screen, each year by the Sumathi Group of Company, Sri Lanka in recognition of the contributions made by them to the Sri Lankan teledrama industry and television programs. The Sumathi ceremony is one of the most popular television program events in Sri Lanka. The awards were first introduced in 1995.
History
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.
The award ceremony has been witnessed 26 times consecutively, with three interruptions in 2005,2020 and 2022 where the Award ceremony did not celebrated.
Awards given
In 1995, there were 32 awards in total, categorized into 4 sections - best awards, popular awards, commercial awards and merit awards. In 1996 at the second Sumathi Awards ceremony, U.A Sumathipala Award was introduced. Since 2000, awards were given under those above five categories. In 2000 Sumathi Awards, Jury Award category was included. With that six categories were awarded until 2011. In 2011 Sumathi Awards, News and other broadcasting category was introduced. In 2014 Sumathi Awards, the child award category was introduced. Since then, 50-55 Sumathi Awards have been awarded under 8 categories.
Best awards
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Upcoming Actor
Best Upcoming Actress
Best Director
Best Art Director
Best Teledrama Series
Best Single Episode
Best Makeup Artist
Best Cameraman
Best Editor
Best Music Director
Best Script
Best Lyrics
Best Singer
Best Current Affairs
Best Documentary
Best Musical Program
Best Magazine Program
Best Presenter
Best Children's Program
Best Educational Program
Best Sports Program
Best Women's Program
Best Audio Visual Program
Awards based on popular vote
Popular Actor
Popular Actress
Popular Teledrama
Commercial awards
Best Commercial
Talent awards
Sumathi Merit Awards
Sumathi Jury Awards
Child awards
Best Child Actor
Special awards
U.W. Sumathipala Awards
News and Broadcasting awards
Best Announcer
Best Investigative Reporting
Best Current Reporting
Award ceremonies
1995 Sumathi Awards
The first Sumathi Awards ceremony was celebrated in 1995, where 32 awards were given at the ceremony under 4 categories. In the best award category, Sumathi Award for the best teledrama actor was won by Buddhadasa Vithanarachchi and best teledrama actress was Manel Jayasena. In popular award category, Kamal Addararachchi won the most popular actor award, whereas Nilmini Tennakoon won the most popular actress award. Out of 32 awards given, teledrama Dandubasnamanaya won 12 awards, including best actor, supporting actor, television series, director and music director.
1996 Sumathi Awards
The second Sumathi Awards ceremony was celebrated in 1996, where 33 awards were given at the ceremony under 5 categories. In the best award category, Sumathi Award for the best teledrama actor was won by Lucky Dias and best teledrama actress was Chandani Seneviratne, whereas both won popular award categories as well. For the first time, U.W. Sumathipala memorial award was introduced, where veteran director Titus Thotawatte won this lifetime award. Out of 33 awards given, teledrama Sankranthi Samaya won 6 awards, including best actor, music director, singer and most popular teledrama.
1997 Sumathi Awards
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.