Joe Abeywickrama

Known as the Crowned King of Sri Lankan Cinema, Gammana Patabendige Don John ''Joe'' Abeywickrama was one of the finest actors of the Sri Lankan film industry. He is the first Sri Lankan actor to win the Silver Screen Award for Best Asian Actor at the 1999 Singapore International Film Festival for his performance in the movie Pura Handa Kaluwara. In six decades of his acting career, Abeywickrama acted in 172 films and won 18 Sarasavi Awards.

The actor made his feature film debut in 1957 with the movie Saradama and went on to appear in movies such as Ranmuthu Duwa (1962), Deva Sundari (1962), Chandiya (1965), Tu Man Handiya (1970), The God King (1976), Bambaru Avith (1978), Aadara Hasuna (1986), Awaragira (1995), and Saroja (2000).

Abeywickrama died on 21st September 2011 at the age of 78 upon being admitted to the Kalubowila Hospital after he sustained an injury while he was exercising. His last appearance in a film came with the 2013 movie Abhinikmana, where he was credited posthumously.