A group of veteran actors and actresses have raised criticisms with the Mass Media Minister over the methodology adopted to select the best and most popular actors during award ceremonies.

Raigam, Sumathi and Sirasa Award Ceremonies are telecasted by popular TV channels to select the best and popular actors.

The organisers have mentioned that a method will be implemented to select the most talented actors and actresses based on votes of the spectators.

However, the veteran actors pointed out that instead of selecting the most deserving actor or actress, the organisers resort to an informal conspiratorial programme to get the votes of the spectators in order to select undeserving actors.

This unethical practice is an obstacle to selecting the best performing artists, and is a great injustice to talented and professional performing artists, they said.

Taking these concerns into consideration, they said that it is a great duty and responsibility not only of television channels but also of the audience to prevent such injustices.

The “Satarawa Deepani” Felicitation Ceremony, which was organized at the behest of Minister of Transport, Highways, and Mass Media, Dr. Bandula Gunawardena  was held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) Yesterday afternoon (16). The event, presided over by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, was held on a grand scale.
During the event, tributes were paid to a group of artists who had contributed to the artwork created by Dr. Bandula Gunawardena. Veteran artists such as Dharmasiri Bandaranaike, Parakrama Niriella, and Cyril Wickramage were awarded by the President in recognition of their contributions. 

Veteran artists such as Professor Ariyaratne Athugala, Kumara Thirimadura and Sarath Kothalawala were also appreciated during this event.

The book “Subandhu Cinema Watha,” which chronicles the cinematic career of Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, was launched at the event. The book was edited by esteemed media professionals including Prof. Praneet Abeysundara, Ranjith Kumara, Aruna Gunaratne, and Dinusha Kudagodage.

During the event, a token of 25 scholarships was awarded to 25 out of the 251 students who are currently pursuing the G.C.E. (A/L) Technology stream this year. The scholarships were given under the “Pragna Bandhu” scholarship program, a concept introduced by Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena. The scholarships were presented by distinguished individuals such as Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Mithripala Sirisena, as well as Education Minister Susil Premajayantha.

Mr. Gamini Weragama, a seasoned film critic, delivered the keynote lecture at the event.

The event was attended by a diverse group of individuals, including the Venerable Maha Sanga such as Most Ven. Iththapane Dhammalankara Thera, the Maha Nayaka of Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha, foreign diplomats, ambassadors, and high commissioners, politicians from both the governing and opposition parties including ministers and parliamentarians, artists, heads of media organizations, journalists, professionals, and other guests.

Two artists of Sri Lankan origin performed at the Service of Celebration for Commonwealth Day 2023 held at the Westminster Abbey in the United Kingdom on Monday (13).

Roshani Abbey who plays the role of Peggy in the Westend production of ‘Hamilton’ and Nuwan Perera who most recently played the lead in the Westend production of ‘Life of Pi’ performed at the service.

The two artists of Sri Lankan origin performed the song ‘Anagathey’ by Wayo to mark the long-standing ties between Britain and Sri Lanka, and to honour the 75th Independence anniversary of Sri Lanka marked in February this year.

For the first time, His Majesty, King Charles III delivered his Commonwealth Day Message during the service of celebration at Westminster Abbey, in his new role as Head of the Commonwealth.

This historic occasion, in the presence of senior members of the Royal Family, featured musical performances from all regions of the Commonwealth including artists from New Zealand, Rwanda, Cyprus, and Sri Lanka.

(NewsWire)