The Sarasaviya Most Popular Actor Award is presented annually by the weekly Sarasaviya newspaper in collaboration with the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited at the Sarasaviya Awards Festival. This award is decided solely by popular vote, chosen based on ballots submitted by readers of the newspaper.
Although the Sarasaviya Awards ceremony began in 1964, this category was introduced in 1966. Gamini Fonseka was selected as the inaugural recipient. Fonseka held the title across two decades, spanning from his performance in Ranmuthu Duwa (1962) to Sakvithi Suvaya (1982). Following 1983, actor-turned-politician Vijaya Kumaratunga won the award for five consecutive years. Subsequent recipients included Sanath Gunathilake, Jeevan Kumaratunga, and Ranjan Ramanayake.
Winners
Below is a list of known recipients of the Sarasaviya Most Popular Actor Award since 1966.
Year Actor 2024 Lux Hemal Ranasinghe 2020 Uddika Premarathna 2019 Kalana Gunasekara 2018 Not awarded 2016 Not awarded 2006 Channa Perera 2004 Ranjan Ramanayake 2003 Ranjan Ramanayake 2002 Ranjan Ramanayake 2001 Ranjan Ramanayake
References
See also Sarasaviya Awards Sarasaviya Best Actor Award