Popular Awards
Popular Awards are awards presented annually by the Youth Star Entertainment in Sri Lanka in recognition of individuals’ excellence in the field of cinema, television, social media, music, and media. The Popular Awards ceremony is considered to be one of the most prestigious television program events in Sri Lanka. The awards were first introduced in 2023.
History
The Popular awards ceremony began in 2023 with the leadership of Geethanjana de Costa. Awards were presented recognizing outstanding individuals across various fields to acknowledge and bring forward their value and efforts. Apart from De Costa, Sunil Costa, Nithya Devindi, Malkanthi Jayasinghe and Lasantha Gunawardena served as the executive committee for Popular Awards 2024. The award ceremony has been witnessed 3 times consecutively.Awards Given
In 2023, the award ceremony commenced with awards under 38 categories, which were increased up to 69 categories with 83 awards in 2024. The awards are categorized into nine sections – Teledrama, Film, Television, Business, Social Media, YouTube, Radio, Music and Special category.Award Ceremonies
Popular Awards 2023
The first British Way Popular Awards ceremony was celebrated on 13 October 2023 at Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre, where awards for 38 categories were presented. In the film category, award for the most popular film actress was won by Udari Warnakulasooriya and the most popular film actor was won by Ranjan Ramanayake. Sashika Nisansala won the award for the most popular singer under music category. In the teledrama category, award for the most popular teledrama actor was won by Saranga Disasekara and the most popular teledrama actress was won by Tharindi Fernando.Popular Awards 2024
The second Calin Popular Awards ceremony was celebrated in 2024 at the Waters Edge, where 83 awards were given at the ceremony under nine main categories. In the film category, award for the most popular film actress was won by Chulakshi Ranathunga and the most popular film actor was won by Akhila Dhanuddara. In the teledrama category, award for the most popular teledrama actor was won by Sajitha Anthony and the most popular teledrama actress was won by Dinakshie Priyasad. Award for the Most Popular Youth Tele Drama Actress was won by Michelle Dilhara and the Most Popular Youth Tele Drama Actor was won by Randika Gunathilaka.Popular Awards 2025
The third Calin Popular Awards ceremony was celebrated in September 10, 2025, at 5:30 PM at the Monarch Imperial Hotel in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, where 106 awards were given at the ceremony under nine main categories. The press conference held on 1 July 2025 at Water’s Edge Hotel. Voting for the awards were concluded on 7 September 2025. In the film category, award for the most popular film actress was won by Udari Warnakulasooriya and the most popular film actor was won by Priyantha Sirikumara. In the teledrama category, award for the most popular teledrama actor was won by Chameera Liyanage and the most popular teledrama actress was won by Shalani Tharaka. Award for the Most Popular Youth Tele Drama Actress was won by Michelle Dilhara and the Most Popular Youth Tele Drama Actor was won by Sajitha Anthony, both for the second consecutive time.2023 British Way Popular Awards ceremony
Television Category
- Most popular television program – Hiru star
- Most popular male news anchor – Najith Matharage
- Most popular female news anchor – Madhunika Karaputugala
- Most popular program presenter – Chamuditha Samarawickrama
- Most popular television news channel – Hiru TV
- Most popular television channel – Hiru TV
Radio category
- Most popular radio program – DJ Ara & Pasbara
- Most popular radio news presenter Male – Pubudu Chathuranga
- Most popular radio news presenter Female – Oshadi Siriwardene
- Most popular radio news channel – Hiru FM
- Most popular radio channel – Hiru FM
Special category
- Most popular male dancer – Lalith Parakum
- Most popular female dancer – AK Twins
- Most popular wedding photographer – Dhanuka Kumarasinghe
- Most popular beautician – Chandimal Jayasinghe
- Most popular salon – Tony & Guy
- Most popular teacher – Dinesh Muthugala
- Most popular sportsperson – Wanindu Hasaranga
Social Media Category
- Most popular TikTok Account – Vanisha Mapitiyage
- Most popular Instagram Account – Piumi Hansamali
- Most popular Facebook Page – I Love You
- Most popular Social media icon – Wasthi Productions
YouTube category
- Most popular comedy channel – Vini Production
- Most popular cookery channel – Wild Cookbook
- Most popular Travel channel – Travel with Wife
- Most popular Educational channel – DP Education
- Most popular Personal & Vlog Channel – Shanudrie Priyasad
- Most popular Tech channel – Chanux Bro
Music category
- Most popular music band – Line One with Shane Zing
- Most popular male singer – Chamara Weerasinghe
- Most popular female singer – Sashika Nisansala
- Most popular song – Ale Man
- Most popular cover song – ''Piyamanne''
Teledrama category
- Most popular teledrama actor – Saranga Disasekara
- Most Popular teledrama actress – Tharindi Fernando
- Most popular teledrama – Sangeethe
- Most popular teledrama song – "Komaliya"
Film category
- Most popular film actor – Ranjan Ramanayake
- Most popular film actress – Udari Warnakulasooriya
- Most popular film – Kadira Divyaraja
- Most popular film song – "Bombe Motai"
2024 Calin Popular Awards ceremony
Television Category
- Most popular political program – Salakuna
- Most popular television Program – Hiru star
- Most popular male News Anchor – Saranga Pathirana
- Most popular female news anchor – Ishara Samarasinghe
- Most popular male Program Presenter – Peshala Manoj
- Most popular female program Presenter – Thilini Poornima
- Most popular television news channel – Hiru TV
- Most popular upcoming television channel – Supreme TV
- Most popular television channel – Hiru TV
Radio category
- Most popular radio program – DJ Ara & Pasbara
- Most popular radio drama – Kana Madiri Rathriya
- Most popular radio news presenter Male – Asanka Shrimal.
- Most popular radio news presenter Female – Nimasha Amararathna
- Most popular male radio program presenter – Gayan Gamlath
- Most popular female radio program presenter – Bhashini Samarasinghe
- Most popular radio news channel – Hiru FM
- Most popular upcoming radio channel – Shaa FM
- Most popular radio channel – Hiru FM
Special category
- Most popular male dancer – Basker Prakash
- Most popular female dancer – Damithri Subasingha
- Most popular dancing group – Chandana Wickramasingha & the dancers guild Sri Lanka
- Most popular male event compere – Moksha Prasad
- Most popular female event compere – Ashinsani Weerasinghe
- Most popular newspaper – Lankadeepa
- Most popular Youth Teacher – Tissa Jananayaka
- Most popular male teacher – Akila Vimanga
- Most popular female teacher – Hayeshika Fernando
Social Media Category
- Most popular TikTok Account – Sachini Chathurangi
- Most popular Instagram Account – Piumi Hansamali
- Most popular Facebook Profile – Piumi Hansamali
- Most popular Facebook page – Suraveera Kello
- Most popular Social media icon – Wild Cook Book
YouTube category
- Most popular upcoming comedy channel – Siril Ayya
- Most popular comedy channel – Vini Production
- Most popular cookery channel – The Rustic Kitchen
- Most popular travel channel – Travel with Wife
- Most popular educational channel – WOW English academy
- Most popular Personal & Vlog Channel – Point of Pavithra
- Most popular YouTube Program presenter – Chamuditha Samarawickrama
- Most popular YouTube channel – Shanudrie
Business category
- Most popular event photography – Naveen Gunasekara
- Most popular wedding photographer – Dhanuka Kumarasinghe Dark Room
- Most popular upcoming beautician – Udara Malshan
- Most popular upcoming saloon – Hiruni & Saree salon
- Most popular male beautician – Chandimal Jayasinghe
- Most popular female beautician – Dilukshi Narangoda
- Most Popular saloon – Salon PR
- Most popular male entrepreneur – Viraj Wichramanaya
- Most popular female entrepreneur – Dr. Pramila Ranasingha
Music category
- Most popular Youth male singer – Shan Putha
- Most popular Youth female singer – Hana Shafa
- Most popular music band – Avatar
- Most popular male singer – Chamara Weerasinghe
- Most popular female singer – Sashika Nisansala
- Most popular Youth song – Seethala Haduwakin
- Most popular Youth music video – Arabi Kumari
- Most popular song – Nopathuwa Mohothaka
- Most popular music video – ''Labandi Komaliya''
Teledrama category
- Most popular upcoming teledrama actor – Sanjaya Muramudali
- Most popular upcoming telerrama actress – Dasuni Senethma and Piyumali Edirisinghe
- Most Popular teledrama actor of the youth – Randika Gunathilaka
- Most Popular teledrama actress of the youth – Michelle Dilhara
- Most popular teledrama actor – Sajitha Anthony
- Most Popular teledrama actress – Dinakshie Priyasad
- Most Popular weekend teledrama – Take Care
- Most popular teledrama – Paata Kurullo
- Most popular television channel – ITN
Film category
- Most popular youth film actor – Hemal Ranasinghe
- Most popular youth film actress – Dinakshie Priyasad
- Most popular film actor – Akhila Dhanuddara
- Most popular film actress – Chulakshi Ranathunga
- Most popular youth film – Visal Adare
- Most popular film – ''Sinhabahu''
2025 Calin Popular Awards ceremony
Television Category
- Most popular male news Anchor – Vindana Prasad
- Most popular female news anchor – Sarasi Pieris
- Most popular male Program Presenter – Saranga Disasekara
- Most popular female program Presenter – Yugani Gunathilake
- Most popular television Program couple – Heshan Mallawa and Julia Sonali
- Most popular political program – Satana
- Most popular reality program – Hiru Star
- Most popular chat program – Copy Chat
- Most popular social service program – Gammadda
- Most popular television news channel – Hiru TV
- Most popular innovative television channel – TV Supreme
- Most popular television channel among the youth – Hiru TV
- Most popular television channel – Hiru TV
- Most popular television icon – Hiru TV
Radio category
- Most popular radio program – DJ Ara & Pasbara
- Most popular radio male program presenter – Lakmal Siriwardena
- Most popular radio female program presenter – Binoli Jayamali
- Most popular radio news channel – Hiru FM
- Most popular radio couple – Kitchcha and Avish
- Most popular emerging radio channel – Supreme Radio
- Most popular entertaining radio channel – Shaa FM
- Most popular radio channel among the youth – Y FM
- Most popular radio channel – Hiru FM
Special category
- Most popular male dancer – Ramod Malaka
- Most popular female dancer – Ama Kankanmge
- Most popular dancing group – TM Dancing Academy
- Most popular photographer – Danuka
- Most popular stage drama – Saduda Watenne Sikuradata by Chalaka Ranasooriya
- Most popular creative campaign – CBL Munchee Savory campaign
- Most popular restaurant brand – Mr Kottu
- Most popular biscuit band – CBL Munchee
- Most popular real estate company – Home Lands
Social Media Category
- Most popular TikTok Account – Iro
- Most popular Instagram Account – Piumi Hansamali
- Most popular Facebook Profile – I Love You
- Most popular Facebook page – Love City
- Most popular Social media icon – Shanudrie Priyasad
- Most popular overseas digital brand – WESL
YouTube category
- Most popular Travel Youtube channel – Travel with Wife
- Most popular Cooking Youtube channel – Anoma's Kitchen
- Most popular Personal and Vlog Youtube channel – Truth with Chamuditha
- Most popular Educational Youtube channel – Hayeshika Fernando
- Most popular Emerging entertaining Youtube channel – Padiri Production
- Most popular Entertaining Youtube channel among the youth – Vini Production
- Most popular Entertaining Youtube channel – Janai Priyai
- Most popular Youtube channel – Wild Cookbook
Business category
- Most popular male beautician – Chandimal Jayasinghe
- Most popular female beautician – Sevini Nanayakkara
- Most Popular saloon – Dee's Hair and Beauty
Music category
- Most popular child singer – Dinuli Damsandi
- Most popular emerging male singer – Dilu Beats
- Most popular emerging female singer – Siyumini Opayangi
- Most popular song among the youth – Dumare
- Most popular song – Himi Nathi Adareka
- Most popular Youth music video among the youth – Ragana
- Most popular Youth music video – Mala Panala
- Most popular Youth male singer – Manej Sanjaya
- Most popular Youth female singer – Nuwandhika Senarathne
- Most popular female singer – Hana Shafa
- Most popular male singer – Supun Perera
- Most popular rap artist – Rapzilla
- Most popular singing duo among the youth – Sarith Surith
- Most popular singing duo – Bathiya and Santhush
- Most popular music band – Avatar
- Most popular female excellence singer – Nirosha Virajini
- Most popular male excellence singer – Chamara Ranawaka
Teledrama category
- Most popular upcoming teledrama actor – Chathuranga Kodithuwakku and Devinda Wickramasinghe
- Most popular upcoming teledrama actress – Kaweerna Wanniarachchi and Prashaa Michael
- Most popular weekend teledrama – Veeduru Thira
- Most popular teledrama Actress of the Youth – Michelle Dilhara '
- Most popular teledrama Actor of the Youth – Sajitha Anthony '
- Most popular teledrama actress – Shalani Tharaka
- Most popular teledrama actor – Chameera Liyanage
- Most popular teledrama couple – Sachin Liyanage and Nethmi Roshel
- Most popular excellence teledrama actress – Danushka Jayaratne '
- Most popular excellence teledrama actor – Wasantha Moragoda '
- Most popular teledrama of the youth – Paata Kurullo
- Most popular teledrama – Mayawi (Sirasa TV
- Most popular excellence teledrama – Iragini Maddahana
- Most popular television channel – Hiru TV
Film category
- Most popular youth film actor – Ranjan Ramanayake
- Most popular youth film actress – Dinakshie Priyasad
- Most popular emerging film actor – Magha Sooriyaarachchi
- Most popular emerging film actress – Nihari Perera
- Most popular film actor – Priyantha Sirikumara
- Most popular film actress – Udari Warnakulasooriya
- Most popular youth film – Clarence: Rhythm of the Guitar
- Most popular film – Nelum Kuluna
- Most popular excellence film – ''Rani''
Special Appreciation category
- Leaf House
- Janaka Dhanuddara
- Anudi Gunasekara
- Gamini Jeewarathna
- Hasantha Hettiarachchi
- Sajith V. Chathuranga
- Supreme Jana Suwa Yathra
- Anoma Priyadarshani
Merit category
- Sudheeksha Samadhi
- Ameliya Wijesooriya
- Hashini Chandanayake
Tribute Awards
- Samitha Mudunkotuwa
- Senanayake Weraliyadde
- Rookantha Gunathilake