Joe Abeywickrema, veteran award-winning actor passed away today (21
st). He was 84 year old at the time of his death. ‘Joe’ fondly called by his fans was born on June 22
nd in 1927 at Lellopitiya, Ratnapura.
The first film he acted was in ‘Deva Sundari’ in 1955 though six other films he acted were screened before it. Before acting in films Joe was a stage actor and the film that made him famous was ‘Saravita.’
Among the movies he acted in were Saradam, Awishwasaya Welikathara, Ranmuthuduwa, Parasathumal, Thungmang Handiya, Beddegama, Sikuruliya, Aswesuma, Purahanda Kaluwara and several others.
Joe, regarded as one of the topmost character actors ever produced by the country, has acted in more than 100 films and is the only Sri Lankan actors to have won an international award for the ‘Best Actor’ at the Singapore International Film Festival for Purahanda Kaluwara.
His remains will lie at the Jayaratne Funeral parlour Borella from tomorrow afternoon and funeral arrangements will be notified later.