{{Short description|Sri Lankan actor (1927-2011)}} {{Infobox person | name = Joe Abeywickrama <br> ජෝ අබේවික්‍රම | image = Joe Abeywickrama (1927-2011).jpg | alt = | caption = | birth_name = Gammana Patabendige Don John Abeywickrama | birth_date = June 22, 1927 | birth_place = Ratnapura, Sri Lanka | death_date = {{death date and age|2011|09|21|1927|06|22|df=y}} | death_place = | other_names = | education = Sivali Central College | occupation = Actor | years_active = 1955-2011 | known_for = Crowned king of Sri Lankan cinema | notable_works = '''Saraiya''' in ''Saravita'' <br> '''Vannihamy''' in ''Pura Handa Kaluwara'' <br> '''Silindu''' in ''Baddegama'' }}

Deshabandu '''Gammana Patabendige Don John Abeywickrama''' (Sinhala:ජෝ අබේවික්‍රම) (22 June 1927<!-- Reference: http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/13695-joe-abeywickrama-passes-away.html --> – 21 September 2011), popularly known as '''Joe Abeywickrama''', was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2017/08/24/?fn=sa17082427 |title=Comedians of Sinhala Cinema |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=26 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229022326/http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2017/08/24/?fn=sa17082427 |archive-date=29 December 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>Initially famed as a comedic actor in early 1950s, Abeywickrama became one of the greatest film actors of all time in Sinhala cinema with several critically acclaimed award winning dramatic performances. Some critics and audiences regard him as the finest actor in the local industry, while others argue that distinction belongs to Gamini Fonseka . Among the three “crowned kings” of Sri Lankan cinema, Abeywickrama was the second to die, after Gamini Fonseka. The last to die was Tony Ranasinghe<ref>{{Cite web |title=Remembering Joe |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/200920/magazine/remembering-joe-416807.html |access-date=2021-01-11 |website=sundaytimes}}</ref><ref name="Socio">[http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/mar2000/pras-m01.shtml "The struggle of the common man for self-dignity is very profound"]. ''World Socialist Web Site''. Retrieved December 18, 2006.</ref><ref name="Veteran">[http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/13695-joe-abeywickrama-passes-away.html "Joe Abeywickrama passes away"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025091018/http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/13695-joe-abeywickrama-passes-away.html |date=2011-10-25 }}. Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). Retrieved August 05, 2014.</ref><ref name="extraordinaire">[https://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2012/09/16/imp04.asp "Joe Abeywickrama the actor extraordinaire"] . Sunday Observer (Sri lanka). Retrieved August 05, 2014.</ref>

He won 18 Sarasavi Awards and Presidential Awards.<ref name="Database">[http://www.films.lk/ArtistDetails.php?id=12. "Sinhala Cinema database"] ''Films lk''.Retrieved August 05, 2014.</ref> At the 1999 Singapore International Film Festival, Abeywickrama won a Silver Screen Award for Best Asian Actor for his portrayal of a grieving father in ''Pura Handa Kaluwara'' (''Death on a Full Moon Day''), a first for a Sri Lankan.<ref name="Imdb">[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0008704/awards "Awards for Joe Abeywickrama"]. ''Internet Movie Database Inc''. Retrieved December 18, 2006.</ref>

<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.divaina.com/2015/06/28/nimna07.html | title=Trinity of Sinhala cinema | publisher=Divaina | access-date=5 May 2019 | archive-date=10 April 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410074609/http://www.divaina.com/2015/06/28/nimna07.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> He was the first Sri Lankan actor to participate in the Filmfare Film Festival, which he attended in 1966.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2015/09/17/?fn=sa15091719 |title=First Sri Lankan to participate Filmfare - ෆිල්ම් ෆෙයාර් උලෙළට ගිය මුල්ම ලාංකික නළුවා|publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=11 March 2017}}</ref>

==Personal life== Abeywickrama was born on 22 June 1927 in Lellopitiya, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka (at that time British Ceylon) and grew up in a rural area. He was the eldest of four children, with two sisters, Nanda Abeywickrama and Missie Abeywickrama, and a brother, Allan Abeywickrama. His surroundings instilled in him a strong appreciation of nature and hard work.<ref name="Lakdiva">{{cite web|url=http://sundaytimes.lk/981115/plus3.html|title=Meet Joe Abeywickrema, the writer|access-date=2007-05-19|year=1998|publisher=Sunday Times}}</ref> His father had a close friendship with John D’Oyly, from whom Abeywickrama received his name, “Joe.”

He completed primary education at Dippitigala Mixed School near Lellopitiya. Then he joined Sivali Central College, Ratnapura for his secondary education and then joined St. Aloysius College, Ratnapura for a short period of time.

After completing his education, Abeywickrama worked as the manager of the Lellopitiya Co-operative with the support of his brother Allan Abeywickrama, who himself appeared in two Sinhala films. In the 1940s he settled in Colombo and started working for Sirisena Wimalaweera's studio ''Nawajeewana''.

Joe married Pushpa Kumari Karunarathna, the daughter of a civil engineer and architect. He first met her while living next door to her family’s home. During those days, Joe would often follow her to the temple, hoping for a chance to speak with her. With the help of Gamini Fonseka's wife [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12833156/ Tina] who discreetly exchanged letters between them, their acquaintance blossomed into a romance. Joe and Pushpa eventually married and remained together until her death in 2007. They had two children: a daughter, Udeni Kumari Abeywickrama, and a son, Channa Abeywickrama.

==Career== After settling in Colombo he started working for Sirisena Wimalaweera's studio Nawajeewana. Initially limited to doing office chores, Abeywickrama eventually became involved in films screened in Ratnapura by the studio. He made contacts with film industry insiders while with the studio, and on his leave obtained a role in ''Devasundari''.<ref name="Nation">{{cite web|url=http://www.nation.lk/2006/11/05/eyefea3.htm|title=Face of a thousand expressions|access-date=2007-05-19|year=2006|publisher=The Nation |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930224125/http://www.nation.lk/2006/11/05/eyefea3.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-09-30}}</ref>

Abeywickrama began his acting career in stage plays. In 1955, he made his film acting debut with a comedy role in ''Devasundari'' directed by M.H. Munas, a Sri Lankan who made films from India.<ref name="Veteran"/> Abeywickrama's first notable role was in ''Saradama'' directed by T. Somasekaran as an eccentric police officer who collected ants. He obtained the role with the help of his friend Florida Jayalath and considers it to be his first real role and a turning point in his career.<ref name="Nation"/> He was a comedian in all of his early films with some notable roles in the films ''Sirimalee'', ''Nalangana'', ''Pirimiyek Nisa'', ''Kolamba Sanniya'' and ''Daruwa Kageda''. Then he was invited to play a major role in the film ''Ranmuthu Duwa'' in 1962, where he acted with Gamini Fonseka for the first time.<ref name= sarajoe>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-22 |title=Ten years commemoration of Joe |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/news-films-local-story/2021/09/23/21018/ජෝ-දස-වස්-පූර්ණය |access-date=2021-09-24 |website=Sarasaviya}}</ref> In 1956, he made a role of "comedy detective" in the film ''Shri 296'' directed by Premnath Moraes.

In the preceding years, he appeared in many dramatic roles in several critically acclaimed films such as ''Deepashika'', ''Soldadu Unnehe'', ''Chandiya'', ''Sweep Ticket'', ''Allapu Gedara'', ''Ektam Ge'', and ''Saravita''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thushi |title=Joe Abeywickrama: The man who made us laugh - News Features |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/news-features/Joe-Abeywickrama-The-man-who-made-us-laugh/131-136439 |access-date=2021-09-24 |website=www.dailymirror.lk |language=English}}</ref> In 1965, he won the award for the Best Actor at the Sarasaviya Awards for his role "Sarayya" in the film ''Saravita''.<ref name= Saaravita>{{cite web | url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/story/2019/10/17/10877/සිරිසාර-බුලත්විට-කාලා-බලන් | title=All about Saaravita | publisher=Sarasaviya | accessdate=29 February 2020}}</ref> In 1971, he acted in the film ''Welikathara'' directed by D. B. Nihalsinghe, where he played the role of "Gorin Mudalali".<ref>{{Cite web |title=All about the film "Welikathara" |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features-films-local/2019/08/15/8332/මිනිසුන්-දෙදෙනෙකුට-මැදි-වූ-ගැහැනියක් |access-date=2021-01-23 |website=Sarasaviya}}</ref><ref name="Nation"/> The film received several awards at local film festivals and considered one of the Ten Best Sri Lankan films of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=WIJEKOON |first=Channa Bandara |title=Clash of the masters |url=https://www.dailynews.lk/2017/07/12/features/121619/clash-masters |access-date=2021-09-24 |website=Daily News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= 'Weli Kathara' returns to the screen |url=http://www.lankadeepa.lk/latest-news/වල-කතර-යළ-තරයට/1-514386 |access-date=2021-01-23 |website=Lankadeepa}}</ref> He also starred in Mahagama Sekera's ''Tun Man Handiya'' in 1970. His other notable acting came through ''Getawarayo'' as "Semaneris", and in ''Sadol Kandulu'' as "dumb servant". For his role in the film ''Sadol Kandulu'', he later won the Sarasaviya Award for the Best Actor.<ref name= jobeb>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-02 |title=Joe Abeywickrama: The actor who ennobled the Sinhala cinema |url=https://archives1.sundayobserver.lk/2021/07/04/montage/joe-abeywickrama-actor-who-ennobled-sinhala-cinema |access-date=2021-09-24 |website=Sunday Observer |language=en}}</ref> He won forty awards including both international and local film festivals.<ref name="extraordinaire" />

In the film ''Beddegama'' directed by Lester James Peries, he played a critically acclaimed role as "Silindu". In 1982, the character gave him another Sarasviya Award as the Best Actor. His character "Nirudaka" in the film ''Desa Nisa'' is also received critics acclaim. He also appeared in two English films titled ''Peter of the Elephants'' and ''The Three Yellow Cats''. In 2001, he acted in the film ''Pura Handa Kaluwara'' directed by Prasanna Vithanage. The film is considered a hallmark in Sinhala cinema history. He won the Best Actor award at 12th Singapore International Film Festival for his role "Wannihami" in the film.<ref name= jobeb /> His final film role came through the war drama film ''Selvam''. Until his death, he has acted in 172 films where 62 of them as leading actor and rest 110 as a supporting actor. He was also the first Sri Lankan actor to attend the Filmfare Awards in India.<ref name= sarajoe />

Apart from cinema, he also appeared in few stage dramas such as: ''Mal Yahanawa'', ''Beri Sil'' (1960) and ''Kele Mal'' (1962).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Security News: Sundayobserver.lk - Sri Lanka |url=https://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2012/09/16/imp04.asp |access-date=2021-09-24 |website=archives.sundayobserver.lk}}</ref> He also acted in many television serials such as ''Andu Kola'', ''Vanas Pathi'', ''Gamperaliya'', ''Sakisanda Eliyas'' and ''Esala Kaluwara''. He also made the script for the popular comedy serial ''Sabada Pabilis''. In the serial, he also wrote the theme song, "Una Puruke Balu Walige" sung by lead actor Anton Jude. Meanwhile, he also sang the song "Wel Eliyata' in the tele drama ''Thahanchi''. one of his television production.<ref name= dek>{{Cite web |title=Remembering Joe Abeywickrema |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/print/life/Remembering-Joe--Abeywickrema/243-196300 |access-date=2021-09-24 |website=www.dailymirror.lk |language=English}}</ref> In 2004, he wrote the script of television serial ''Sakisanda Eliyas''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBCSinhala.com |url=https://www.bbc.com/sinhala/news/story/2005/11/051124_viedio |access-date=2021-09-24 |website=www.bbc.com}}</ref>

==Author work== Abeywickrama published his first novel ''Maha Bambata Muhunu Dekai'' in 1972.<ref name="Lakdiva"/>

==Legacy== On 21 September 2020, a special commemorative event was held on the ninth death anniversary of Joe Abeywickrema. It was organized by The National Film Corporation and was held at the NFC Auditorium at 6 pm. After the event, one of his popular film ''Thun Mang Handiya'' was screened.<ref name= dek />

== Filmography == {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" ! Year ! Film ! Role ! Ref. |- |rowspan= 1|1957 | ''Saradama'' | police officer | |- |rowspan= 1|1959 | ''Avishwasaya'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1959 | ''Sri 296'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1959 | ''Gehenu Geta'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1959 | ''Sirimalee'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1960 | ''Nalangana'' | |<ref>{{Cite web |title=All about the film "Nalangana" |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/story/2019/05/09/5139/සිතෙහි-බැඳි-ආලේ-සැමදා |access-date=2021-01-22 |website=sarasaviya}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1960 | ''Pirimiyek Nisa'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1961 | ''Daruwa Kageda'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1962 | ''Ranmuthu Duwa'' | Sena |<ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2018/06/21/?fn=sa18062118 | title=All about the film ''Ranmuthu Duwa'' | publisher=Sarasaviya| access-date=14 February 2020}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1962 | ''Deva Sundari'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1963 | ''Wena Swargayak Kumatada'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1963 | ''Deepashika'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1964 | ''Hete Pramada Wediyi'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1964 | ''Getawarayo'' | Semanaris | |- |rowspan= 1|1964 | ''Suba Sarana Sepa Sithe'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1964 | ''Sithaka Mahima'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1965 | ''Chandiya'' | Peda |<ref>{{Cite web |title=All about "Chandiya" |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features-films-local/2021/04/01/20148/කලාපානිගේ-විල්මට්-සිනමාවට-පැමිණි-හැටි |access-date=2021-04-04 |website=Sarasaviya}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1965 | ''Sathutu Kandulu'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1965 | ''Saaravita'' | Bamunusinha Arachchige Gunahamy 'Saraiya' |<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/story/2019/10/17/10877/සිරිසාර-බුලත්විට-කාලා-බලන් | title=All about Saravita | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=22 February 2020}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1965 | ''Hithata Hitha'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1965 | ''Allapu Gedara'' |Kapila |<ref>{{Cite web |title=All about the film "Allapu Gedara" |url=http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2018/06/07/?fn=sa1806075 |access-date=2020-01-04 |website=Sarasaviya}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1965 | ''Satha Panaha'' | |<ref>{{Cite web |title=All about the film "Satha Panaha" |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/other/2019/01/03/2056/මල්-නෙලන්න-වාසනාව-මටද-අත්වුණා |access-date=2020-01-04 |website=Sarasaviya}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1965 | ''Sweep Ticket'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1965 | ''Landaka Mahima'' |Mohan | |- |rowspan= 1|1966 | ''Kommissar X – Drei gelbe Katzen'' |Police constable | |- |rowspan= 1|1966 | ''Sengawena Sewanella'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1966 | ''Mahadena Muththa'' |Polbemuna | |- |rowspan= 1|1966 | ''Senasuma Kothenada'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1966 | ''Athulweema Thahanam'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1966 | ''Seegiri Kashyapa'' |Rala |<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features-films-local/2019/09/05/8820/පිරුණා-හද-සන්තානේ | title=All about Seegiri Kashyapa | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=3 March 2020}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1966 | ''Kapatikama'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1966 | ''Parasathu Mal'' | |<ref>{{Cite web |title=All about "Parasathu Mal" |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/films-story/2019/06/06/5626/පරවුණු-මල්වල-සුවඳ-අතීතේ |access-date=2021-01-23 |website=sarasaviya}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1967 | ''Sorungeth Soru'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1967 | ''Manamalayo'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1967 | ''Daru Duka'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1967 | ''Sendol Kandulu'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1968 | ''Punchi Baba'' | Sena | |- |rowspan= 1|1968 | ''Akka Nago'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1968 | ''Amathikama'' | Mudalali | |- |rowspan= 1|1968 | ''Dahasak Sithuvili'' | Sunny |<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features/2020/01/30/15254/පමා-වුණොත්-මල-පරවෙයි | title=All about Dahasak Sithuvili | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=22 February 2020}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1968 | ''Adarawanthayo'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1968 | ''Ataweni Pudumaya'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1969 | ''Senehasa'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1969 | ''Oba Nethinam'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1969 | ''Narilatha'' | Alpenis |<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/films-local/2020/08/06/18253/ලස්සන-තාලෙට-තිස්සෙම-ගැස්සෙන-“නාරිලතා” | title=All about Narilatha | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1969 | ''Hari Maga'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1969 | ''Baduth Ekka Horu'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1969 | ''Uthum Sthree'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1969 | ''Prawesam Wanna'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1969 | ''Para Walalu'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1969 | ''Pancha'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1969 | ''Romeo Juliet Kathawa'' | |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Romeo Juliet Kathawak |url=http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2018/09/20/?fn=sa18092022 |access-date=2021-01-10 |website=Sarasaviya}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1970 | ''Lakseta Kodiya'' | Pinsiri | |- |rowspan= 1|1970 | ''Thewatha'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1970 | ''Tun Man Handiya'' | Abilin | |- |rowspan= 1|1971 | ''Seeye Nottuwa'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1971 | ''Welikathara'' | Goring Mudalali | |- |rowspan= 1|1971 | ''Haralaksaya'' | |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Invaluable Haara Lakshe |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/story/2019/02/14/2965/මිල-කළ-නොහැකි-හාර-ලක්සෙ |access-date=2021-01-12 |website=sarasaviya}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1972 | ''Chandar, the Black Leopard of Ceylon'' | Father | |- |rowspan= 1|1972 | ''Weeduru Gewal'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1973 | ''Mathara Aachchi'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1973 | ''Thushara'' | |<ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2018/06/14/?fn=sa18061432 | title=All about the film "Thushara" | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=3 October 2020}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1973 | ''Sadahatama Oba Mage'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1974 | ''Kalyani Gangaa'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1974 | ''Onna Babo Billo Enawa'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1974 | ''Niyangala Mal'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1975 | ''Raththaran Amma'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1975 | ''Tharanga'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1974 | ''Sooraya Soorayamai'' | Abeywickrama |<ref>{{Cite web |title=All about the film "Suraya Surayamai" |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features/2019/07/25/7326/හිතලා-බැලුවද-ලොකු-නෝනලා |access-date=2021-01-23 |website=Sarasaviya}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1975 | ''Sikuruliya'' | Berty |<ref>{{Cite web |title=He left me: Sikuruliya |url=http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2018/10/25/?fn=sa18102533 |access-date=2021-01-11 |website=sarasaviya}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1975 | ''Sadhana'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1975 | ''Kalu Diya Dahara'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1975 | ''Desa Nisa'' | Nirudaka |<ref name="Sunday Times">{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/100815/Magazine/sundaytimestvtimes_4.html |title=Lester-Sumithra cinema on mini-screen |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=23 December 2017}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1976 | ''Wasana'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1976 | ''Madol Duwa'' | Dharmasinghe gurunnanse |<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features/2019/09/12/9071/කොහේද-කොහේද-අපේ-ලොවක් | title=All about Madol Duwa | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=3 March 2020}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1976 | ''Kolomba Sanniya'' | Andare | |- |rowspan= 1|1976 | ''The God King'' | Swami | |- |rowspan= 1|1976 | ''Unnatha Dahai Malath Dahai'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1976 | ''Onna Mame Kella Panapi'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1977 | ''Hithuwoth Hithuwamai'' | Alwis |<ref>{{Cite web |title=All about "Hithuwoth Hithuwamai" |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features-films-local/2019/08/22/8577/මා-එදා-දෑසින්-සනහා-හිතුවොත්-හිතුවාමයි |access-date=2021-01-23 |website=Sarasaviya}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1977 | ''Yali Ipade'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1977 | ''Siripala Ha Ranmenika'' | Simon |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Siripala and Ranmenika highlighted the poetic mind of the misguided man |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features/2019/05/23/5443/නොමඟ-ගිය-මිනිසාගේ-කවි-සිත-ඉස්මතු-කළ-සිරිපාල-සහ-රන්මැණිකා |access-date=2021-01-23 |website=sarasaviya}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1978 | ''Gehenu Lamai'' | |<ref>{{Cite web |title=සදා මේ සංසාරේ අපේ හමුවීම නොවේ: ගැහැනු ළමයි |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/story/2018/12/27/1848/සදා-මේ-සංසාරේ-අපේ-හමුවීම-නොවේ-ගැහැනු-ළමයි |access-date=2021-01-12 |website=Sarasaviya}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1978 | ''Siripathula'' | Chanting man | |- |rowspan= 1|1978 | ''Selinage Walauwa'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1978 | ''Sara'' | Gajanayake | |- |rowspan= 1|1978 | ''Veera Puran Appu'' | Gongalegoda Banda | |- |rowspan= 1|1978 | ''Bambaru Avith'' | Anton Aiya | |- |rowspan= 1|1978 | ''Sally'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1978 | ''Kumara Kumariyo'' | Dharme | |- |rowspan= 1|1978 | ''Sandawata Rantharu'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1979 | ''Jeewana Kandulu'' | Vimal | |- |rowspan= 1|1979 | ''Hingana Kolla'' | Vayya, Diyathalan Mama |<ref>{{Cite web |title=All about the film "Hingana Kolla" |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features/2019/07/11/6918/මනමාලයි-මනහාරයි-හිඟන-කොල්ලා |access-date=2021-01-23 |website=Sarasaviya}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1979 | ''Raja Kollo'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1979 | ''Wasanthe Dawasak'' | Samantenne Arachchi | |- |rowspan= 1|1979 | ''Visi Hathara Peya'' | Winson | |- |rowspan= 1|1979 | ''Hari Pudumai'' | Sugath | |- |rowspan= 1|1980 | ''Tak Tik Tuk'' | Detective Serasinghe | |- |rowspan= 1|1980 | ''Jodu Walalu'' | Suminda | |- |rowspan= 1|1980 | ''Ektem Ge'' | Wilson |<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/060924/TV/tv14.html |title=‘Ektem Ge' on Rupavahini |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=8 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=We will alone in Ektam Ge |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features/2018/11/15/771/තනි-වේවි-එක්ටැම්-ගේ |access-date=2021-01-11 |website=sarasaviya}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1980 | ''Seetha'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1980 | ''Aadara Rathne'' | Bertholameus | |- |rowspan= 1|1980 | ''Siribo Aiya'' | Siribo Aiya | |- |rowspan= 1|1980 | ''Bambara Pahasa'' | Siripala | |- |rowspan= 1|1980 | ''Dandu Monara'' | Jinapala | |- |rowspan= 1|1980 | ''Muwan Pelessa 2'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1980 | ''Para Dige'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1980 | ''Sinhabahu'' | Sinha | |- |rowspan= 1|1981 | ''Kolam Karayo'' | Saarapala | |- |rowspan= 1|1981 | ''Taranga'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1981 | ''Baddegama'' | Silindu |<ref name="Sunday Times"/> |- |rowspan= 1|1981 | ''Sayuru Thera'' |Fish salesman | |- |rowspan= 1|1981 | ''Soldadu Unnahe'' | Soldier | |- |rowspan= 1|1981 | ''Sathara Pera Nimithi'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1981 | ''Pinhami'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1981 | ''Sathara Diganthaya'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1982 | ''Thana Giravai'' | Doctor Siri | |- |rowspan= 1|1982 | ''Wathura Karaththaya'' | Shooter | |- |rowspan= 1|1982 | ''Major Sir'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1982 | ''Kele Mal'' | Daasa | |- |rowspan= 1|1982 | ''Malata Noena Bambaru'' | Sunny |<ref>{{Cite web |title=All about the film "Malata Noena Bambaru" |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/films/2019/03/14/3612/තහනම්-නොවූ-තහනමක්-මලට-නොඑන-බඹරු |access-date=2021-01-12 |website=sarasaviya}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1982 | ''Rail Paara'' | Rail Guard | |- |rowspan= 1|1982 | ''Kadaunu Poronduwa'' | Hemapala | |- |rowspan= 1|1983 | ''Ran Mini Muthu'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1983 | ''Sandamali'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1983 | ''Sumithuro'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1983 | ''Niliyakata Pem Kalemi'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1983 | ''Samuganimi Ma Samiyani'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1983 | ''Suboda'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1983 | ''Muwan Pelessa 3'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1983 | ''Monara Thenna 2'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1983 | ''Peter of the Elephants'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1983 | ''Muhudu Lihini'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1984 | ''Shirani'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1984 | ''Thaththai Duwai'' | Lavuris | |- |rowspan= 1|1984 | ''Podi Ralahami'' | Podi Ralahami | |- |rowspan= 1|1984 | ''Sasara Chethana'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1984 | ''Wadula'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1984 | ''Hima Kathara'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1984 | ''Sahodariyakage Kathawa'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1985 | ''Suddilage Kathaawa'' | Ex-Village Headman |<ref>{{Cite web |title=All about the film "Suddilage Kathawa" |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/films/2019/03/28/3960/අඳ-ගොවීන්-හා-සූරූපී-ගැහැනියක-පිළිබඳ-චණ්ඩානන්දරය-සුද්දිලාගේ-කථාව |access-date=2021-01-18 |website=sarasaviya}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1986 | ''Maldeniye Simion'' | Simion |<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/060625/tv/MaldeniyeSimeon.html |title='Maldeniye Simeon' back after 20 years |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1986 | ''Dev Duwa'' | Mohomed | |- |rowspan= 1|1986 | ''Pooja'' | Jamis (the executioner) | |- |rowspan= 1|1986 | ''Aadara Hasuna'' | Army officer (Colonel) | |- |rowspan= 1|1987 | ''Viragaya'' | Jayasena, Aravinda's father |<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features-films-local/2020/04/30/17600/සම්භාවනීය-නවකතාවක-සම්මානනීය-සිනමා-ප%E2%80%8D්%E2%80%8Dරවේශය |title=All about Viragaya |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=3 May 2020}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1988 | ''Rasa Rahasak'' | Hitler Abeynayake | |- |rowspan= 1|1988 | ''Angulimala'' | Disapamok | |- |rowspan= 1|1990 | ''Palama Yata'' | Uncle |<ref>{{Cite web |title=All about the film "Palama Yata" |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/story/2019/05/02/4959/ගඟ-ගලා-බසිද්දී-සසල-වූ-ජීවිත |access-date=2021-01-22 |website=Sarasaviya}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1991 | ''Golu Muhude Kunatuwak'' | Podi Mahaththaya | |- |rowspan= 1|1991 | ''Cheriyo Doctor'' | Chief psychiatrist | |- |rowspan= 1|1991 | ''Sthree'' | Appuhamy | |- |rowspan= 1|1992 | ''Umayanganaya'' | The eldest brother | |- |rowspan= 1|1994 | ''Ambu Samiyo'' | Doctor | |- |rowspan= 1|1995 | ''Awaragira'' | K.B. Sethigala | |- |rowspan= 1|1995 | ''Cheriyo Captain'' | Captain Doson | |- |rowspan= 1|1996 | ''Hitha Honda Gahaniyek'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1996 | ''Loku Duwa'' | Mr. Palihawadana |<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/061231/TV/013tv.html |title=Loku Duwa appears on Rupavahini |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=8 December 2019}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|1996 | ''Cheriyo Darling'' | Chief psychiatrist | |- |rowspan= 1|1996 | ''Bithu Sithuwam'' | Senaka | |- |rowspan= 1|1997 | ''Suddu Akka'' | Blacksmith | |- |rowspan= 1|1998 | ''Vimukthi'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|1999 | ''Theertha Yathra'' | Father |<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/990404/mirror5.html | title='Theertha yatra' goes in search of family roots | publisher=Sunday Times| access-date=29 November 2019}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|2000 | ''Saroja'' | Indigenous doctor |<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/991010/tv.html |title='Saroja': tale of two small girls |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=21 October 2018}}</ref> |- |rowspan= 1|2000 | ''Rajya Sevaya Pinisai'' | Sumanasekara | |- |rowspan= 1|2001 | ''Purahanda Kaluwara'' | Vannihamy | |- |rowspan= 1|2001 | ''Aswesuma'' | Guneris &ndash; old age | |- |rowspan= 1|2006 | ''Dheewari'' | Mudalali | |- |rowspan= 1|2009 | ''Alimankada'' | | |- |rowspan= 1|2010 | ''Tikiri Suwanda'' | Devendra | |- |rowspan= 1|2011 | ''Mahindagamanaya'' | Mantha | |- |rowspan= 1|2011 | ''Selvam'' | Sathyavelu | |- |rowspan= 1|2012 | ''Prathiroo'' |Siyathu | |- |rowspan= 1|2013 | ''Abhinikmana'' | Buddhadasa's Father | |- |}

==Awards== ===Sarasaviya Film Award=== {{Awards table}} |- || 1965 ||| ''Getawarayo'' || Merit Award || {{won}} <ref>{{Cite web |title=Road to Prestige 1964-2018 |url=http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2018/05/31/?fn=sa1805311 |access-date=2021-01-09 |website=Sarasaviya}}</ref> |- || 1966 ||| ''Saaravita'' || Best Actor || {{won}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Road to Prestige 1964-2018 |url=http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2018/06/07/?fn=sa1806072 |access-date=2021-01-10 |website=Sarasaviya}}</ref> |- || 1982 ||| ''Beddegama'' || Best Actor || {{won}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Road to Prestige 1964-2018 |url=http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2018/06/21/?fn=sa1806211 |access-date=2021-01-09 |website=Sarasaviya}}</ref> |- || 1983 ||| ''Malata Noena Bambaru'' || Best Actor || {{won}} |- || 1986 ||| Contribution to cinema || Rana Thisara Award || {{won}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Road to Prestige 1964-2018 |url=http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2018/07/12/?fn=sa1807111 |access-date=2021-01-09 |website=Sarasaviya}}</ref> |- || 1987 ||| ''Maldeniye Simieon'' || Best Actor || {{won}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Road to Prestige 1964-2018 |url=http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2018/07/05/?fn=sa1807051 |access-date=2021-01-09 |website=Sarasaviya}}</ref> |- || 1991 ||| ''Palama Yata'' || Best Supporting Actor || {{won}} |- || 1992 ||| ''Golu Muhude Kunatuwak'' || Best Actor || {{won}} |- || 1993 ||| ''Umayangana'' || Best Actor || {{won}} |- || 1997 ||| ''Bithu Sithuwam'' || Best Actor || {{won}} |- || 1998 ||| ''Bithu Sithuvam'' || Best Actor || {{won}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Road to Prestige 1964-2018 |url=http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2018/07/26/?fn=sa18072629 |access-date=2021-01-10 |website=Sarasaviya}}</ref> |- || 2001 ||| ''Purahanda Kaluwara'' || Best Actor || {{won}} {{End}}

===Presidential Film Awards=== {{Awards table}} |- || 1979 ||| ''Bambaru Evith'' || Merit Award <ref>{{Cite web |title=1979 Presidential Award Winners |url=http://www.nfc.gov.lk/presidential_awards_details.php?year=1979 |access-date=2021-06-07 |website=National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka}}</ref> || {{won}} |- || 1980 ||| ''Wasanthaye Dawasak'' || Best Supporting Actor <ref>{{Cite web |title=1980 Presidential Award Winners |url=http://www.nfc.gov.lk/presidential_awards_details.php?year=1980 |access-date=2021-06-07 |website=National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka}}</ref>|| {{won}} |- || 1981 ||| ''Siribo Ayya'' || Best Actor <ref>{{Cite web |title=1981 Presidential Award Winners |url=http://www.nfc.gov.lk/presidential_awards_details.php?year=1981 |access-date=2021-06-07 |website=National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka}}</ref>|| {{won}} |- || 1982 ||| ''Beddegama'' || Best Actor || {{won}} |- || 1983 ||| ''Malata Noena Bambaru'' || Best Actor <ref>{{Cite web |title=1981 Presidential Award Winners |url=http://www.nfc.gov.lk/presidential_awards_details.php?year=1983 |access-date=2021-06-07 |website=National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka}}</ref>|| {{won}} {{End}}

===Singapore International Film Festival=== {{Awards table}} |- || 1999 ||| ''Pura Handa Kaluwara'' || Silver Screen Award for Best Actor || {{won}} {{End}}

===Presidential Film Awards=== {{Awards table}} |- || 1999 ||| Contribution to Drama || U.W. Sumathipala Lifetime |- || 2000 ||| ''Imadiya Mankada'' || Best Teledrama Actor<ref>{{Cite web |title=1979 Presidential Award Winners |url=http://www.nfc.gov.lk/presidential_awards_details.php?year=1979 |access-date=2021-06-07 |website=National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka}}</ref> || {{won}} {{End}}

===Sri Lankan National Honours=== {{Awards table}} |- || 2005 ||| Contribution to Drama || Deshabandu<ref>{{cite web |title=National Honours Ceremony |url=http://www.priu.gov.lk/news_update/Current_Affairs/ca200511/20051116national_honours_ceremony.htm |publisher=Government of Sri Lanka |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060710180134/http://www.priu.gov.lk/news_update/Current_Affairs/ca200511/20051116national_honours_ceremony.htm |archivedate=10 July 2006 |date=16 November 2005}}</ref>|| {{won}} {{End}}

==References== {{Reflist|2}} <!-- Reference: http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2010/06/17/_art.asp?fn=sa1006172&pn=11 -->

==External links== * {{IMDb name|0008704}} *[http://www.films.lk/ArtistDetails.php?id=12 Joe Abeywickrama's Biography in Sinhala Films Database] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20081223213721/http://sarasaviya.lk/lankeyacinema/?id=Joe Joe Abeywickrama's Biography in Sinhala] *[http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2009/01/22/_art.asp?fn=sa09012215&pn=*14,15 Joe Abeywickrama in Sinhala]{{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}\ *[https://web.archive.org/web/20111213213448/http://sarasaviya.lk/2011/09/29/_art.asp?fn=sa1109299&pn=21 Vehera ඇගයූ මහා ප්‍රතිභාව] *[http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features/2020/09/24/19036/ජෝ-අබේවික්%E2%80%8Dරම ජෝ අබේවික්‍රම 9 වැනි ගුණ සමරුව]

{{Authority control}} {{SIFF BestAsianActor}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Abeywickrama, Joe}} Category:1927 births Category:2011 deaths Category:Sri Lankan male film actors Category:Deshabandu