Remembering Joe Abeywickrema

Born: Gammana Patabendige Don John Abeywickrama, June 22, 1927, Lellopitiya, Pelmadulla. Ratnapura
Died: 21 September 2011 (aged 84)
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Occupation: Actor
Years active: 1955-2011
Known for: Celebrated actor of Sri Lankan cinema
Notable work: Saraiya in Saravita, Vannihamy in Pura Handa Kaluwara, Silindu in Baddegama

The National Film Corporation is organizing a special commemorative event today, September 21 to coincide with the ninth death anniversary of Sri Lanka’s celebrated character actor Joe Abeywickrema. The event starting at 6 pm at the NFC Auditorium, will be followed by  the screening of the movie ‘Thun Mang Handiya’. Born in 1927 at Lellopitiya, Ratnapura , Gammana Patabendige Don John Abeywickrema studied at Dippitigala Mix school and Ratnapura Seevali Vidyalaya.

Initially he worked at Sirisena Wimalaweera’s Nava Jeewana Film Studio in Kiribathgoda when Eddie Junior introduced him to film producer M. H. M. Munas who chose him to play a role in his film ‘Deva Sundari’ in 1955.  When he was offered his first role in the movie Joe only had loads of confidence and the will to succeed. He acted in several other films which were released before Deva Sundari.

For someone with no formal training in acting, his success was always seen as something that came as a result of inborn talent and sheer commitment. His ambition was to become a good actor and not a big star. Work always spoke for an actor and the following roles especially spoke volumes of his versatility.

“The event starting at 6 pm at the NFC Auditorium, will be followed by  the screening of the movie ‘Thun Mang Handiya’. Born in 1927 at Lellopitiya, Ratnapura , Gammana Patabendige Don John Abeywickrema studied at Dippitigala Mix school and Ratnapura Seevali Vidyalaya.”

He was Semaneris in Getawarayo, Saraiyya in Sarawita, Kapila in Allapu Gedara, Abiling in Thunmang Handiya, Goring in Welikathara, Nirudaka in Desa Nisa, Anthony in Bambaru Awith, Siribo Hami in Siribo Ayya, Silindu in Baddegama, Sunny in Malata Noen Mabaru, Simion in Maldeniye Simion, Jamis in Pooja and Wanni Hami in Purahanda Kaluwara.

He acted in more than 150 films and is the first Sri Lankan actor to have won an international award in the ‘Best Actor’ category at the Singapore International Film Festival for Purahanda Kaluwara.

He has won almost all prestigious awards in Sri Lanka for his outstanding acting talents.

He acted in stage plays like Mal Yahanawa, Beri Sil and Kele Mal while acting in several tele dramas some of which were also produced by him

As a lyricist he wrote songs including the popular ‘Una Puruke Balu Walige - Ais Amma Gundu’ sung by Anton Jude.

He sang the song ‘Wel Eliyata’ in the tele drama Thahanchi produced by him.
In 1999 he wrote his first novel ‘Maha Bambata Muhunu Dekai’.

Text: Ramesh Uvais