JOE BIRTH ANNIVERSARY FALLS THIS WEEK

The 86th birth anniversary of veteran actor Joe Abeywickrema falls on June 13.

Born at Lellopitiya, Ratnapura, Gammana Patabendige Don John Abeywickrema who was popularly known as Joe Abeywickrema studied at Dippitigala Vidyalaya and Ratnapura Seevali Vidyalaya.

Initially he worked at Sirisena Wimalaweera’s Nava Jeewana Film Studio in Kiribathgoda where he had met Eddie Junior. Eddie introduced him to film producer M. H. M. Munas who chose him to play a role in his film ‘Deva Sundari’ in 1955. But before Deva Sundari was released he had clinched several roles in other films that were screened before Deva Sundari.

He had not received any formal training in acting, but he was an actor with inborn talent and sheer commitment. He did not dream of becoming a big star but only wanted to become a big actor – and that he did in a career spanning more than five decades. He played comedy and serious roles with ease and that was his strong point.

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 Noena Bambaru, Simion in Maldeniye Simion, Jamis in Pooja and Wanni Hami in Purahanda Kaluwara.

He acted in more than 150 films and was the only 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 Si 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 passed away on September 21, 2011.