Presidential Film Awards
Presidential Film Awards is a film award ceremony held in Sri Lanka. It is organized by the National Film Corporation along with the Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. It was 1st awards in 1979 by President J. R. Jayewardene, and continue till 2004. The awards were not held from 2005 to 2014 when Mahinda Rajapakse was president. The award started to be presented again in 2015 by President Maithripala Sirisena, and last awarded by President Ranil Wickramasinghe in 2023.
President awarding [J. R. Jayewardene]
1979 Winners
- Best Film: Bambaru Avith - Thilak Godamanna
- Best Direction: Bambaru Avith - Dharmasena Pathiraja, Ahasin Polawata - Lester James Peries
- Best Actor: Ahasin Polawata - Tony Ranasinghe
- Best Actress: Bambaru Avith - Malini Fonseka
- Best Script Writer: Ahasin Polawata - Tissa Abeysekara
- Best Cinematographer: Ahasin Polawata - Donald Karunarathna
- Best Editor: Ahasin Polawata - Sumitra Peries
- Best Music Director: Bambaru Avith - Premasiri Kemadasa
- Best Art Director: Veera Puran Appu - Hemapala Dharmasena
- Best Sound Director: Veera Puran Appu - Mical Sathyanadan
- Best Supporting Actor: Veera Puran Appu - Tissa Abeysekara
- Best Supporting Actress: Sasara - Shanthi Lekha
- Best Lyrics Writer: Bambaru Avith - W. Jayasiri
- Best Playback Singer Male: Janaka Saha Manju - T. M. Jayaratne
- Best Playback Singer Female: Ahasin Polawata - Rukmani Devi
- Merit Awards: Bambaru Avith - Ruby de Mel, Bambaru Avith - Cyril Wickramage, Gehenu Lamai - Shyama Ananda, Gehenu Lamai - M. S. Ananda, Gehenu Lamai - Chitra Wakishta, Bambaru Avith - Dharmasena Pathiraja, Janaka Saha Manju - Upali Aththanayaka, Ahasin Polawata - Relex Ranasingha, Hitha Mithura - Sriyani Amarasena, Gehenu Lamai - Vasanthi Chathurani, Gehenu Lamai - Victor Rathnayake, Bambaru Avith - Sextas Aponsu, Bambaru Evith - Joe Abeywickrama
1980 Winners
- Best Film: Palagetiyo - Vasantha Obeysekera
- Best Direction: Palagetiyo - Vasantha Obeysekera
- Best Actor: Sarungale - Gamini Fonseka
- Best Actress: Wasanthaye Dawasak - Malini Fonseka
- Best Script Writer: Palagetiyo - Vasantha Obeysekera
- Best Cinematographer: Wasanthaye Dawasak - Sumiththa Amarasingha
- Best Editor: Podi Malli - Jayathissa Dillimuni
- Best Music Director: Wasanthaye Dawasak - Premasiri Kemadasa
- Best Art Director: Wasanthaye Dawasak - Hemapala Dharmasena
- Best Sound Director: Palagetiyo - Jorge Manathunge
- Best Supporting Actor: Wasanthaye Dawasak - Joe Abeywickrama
- Best Supporting Actress: Wasanthaye Dawasak - Somalatha Subasinghe
- Best Lyrics Writer: Wasanthaye Dawasak - "Dedunnen Ena" - Ajantha Ranasinghe
- Best Playback Singer Male: Wasanthaye Dawasak - "Mala Gira" - T. M. Jayaratne
- Best Playback Singer Female: Monarathenna - "Handa Haaun Hande" - Nanda Malini
- Special Jury Award: Handaya - Titus Thotawatte
- Merit Awards: Palagetiyo - Andrew Jayamanne, Palagetiyo - Denawaka Hamine, Palagetiyo - Vijaya Kumaratunga, Palagetiyo - Dharmasiri Bandaranayake, Sarungale - Fareena Lai, Sarungale - Wimal Kumara de Costa, Sarungale - Sriyani Amarasena, Podi Malli - Ravindra Randeniya,
1981 Winners
- Best Film: Ganga Addara - Milina Sumathipala, Siribo Aiya - Ranjith Palansuriya / Jinadasa Palansuriya / Dharmpriya Palansuriya.
- Best Direction: Ganga Addara - Sumitra Peries, Siribo Aiya - Sunil Ariyaratne
- Best Actor: Siribo Aiya - Joe Abeywickrama
- Best Actress: Ganga Addara - Vasanthi Chathurani
- Best Script Writer: Ganga Addara - Tissa Abeysekara
- Best Cinematographer: Ganga Addara - Donald Karunarathna, Hansa Vilak - Andrew Jayamanne
- Best Editor: Ganga Addara - Sumitra Peries
- Best Music Director: Siribo Aiya - Victor Rathnayake
- Best Art Director: Ganga Addara - Hemapala Dharmasena
- Best Sound Director: Hansa Vilak - Lionel Gunarathna
- Best Makeup Artist: Parithyaga - Ebert Wijesinghe
- Best Supporting Actor: Uthumaneni - Somy Rathnayake
- Best Supporting Actress: Raththaththin Raththame - Geetha Kumarasinghe
- Best Lyrics Writer: Ganga Addara - "Ganga Addara Ma" / "Ran Tikiri Sina" - Augustus Vinayagarathnam
- Best Playback Singer Male: Siribo Aiya - "Kavi" - W. D. Amaradeva
- Best Playback Singer Female: Siribo Aiya - "Kavi" - Nanda Malini
- Merit Awards: Karumakkarayo - Upali Athtanayaka, Hansa Vilak - Dharmasiri Bandaranayake, Hansa Vilak - Swarna Mallawarachchi, Siribo Aiya - Somasiri Denipitiya, Uthumaneni - Farina Lai, Miurige Kathawa - Veena Jayakody, Parithyaga - Amarasiri Kalansuriya, Ganga Addara - Tony Ranasinghe
1982 Winners
- Best Film: Beddegama - Wilfred Perera
- Best Direction: Soldadu Unnehe - Dharmasena Pathiraja
- Best Actor: Beddegama - Joe Abeywickrama
- Best Actress: Aradhana - Malini Fonseka
- Best Script Writer: Soldadu Unnehe - Dharmasena Pathiraja / W. Jayasiri
- Best Cinematographer: Aradhana - Sumiththa Amarasingha, Soldadu Unnehe - Jayanath Gunawardana
- Best Editor: Beddegama - Gladvin Fernando
- Best Music Director: Soldadu Unnehe - Premasiri Khemadasa
- Best Art Director: Thawalama - Hemapala Dharmasena
- Best Sound Director: Sathara Pera Nimithi - K. Balasubramaniyam
- Best Makeup Artist: Beddegama - Ebert Wijesinghe
- Best Supporting Actor: Beddegama - Henry Jayasena
- Best Supporting Actress: Beddegama - Nadeeka Gunasekara
- Best Lyrics Writer: Banduru Mal - " Bawen Bawe Yana Gamane " - Pof. Sunil Ariyaratne
- Best Playback Singer Male: Sathara Pera Nimithi - "Buddan Saranan Gachchami" - T. M. Jayaratne
- Best Playback Singer Female: Sathara Pera Nimithi - "Gee Pothe Gee Thanu Visiri" - Nanda Malini
- Swarna Singhe Awards: Sir Lester James Peries
- Merit Awards: Sathara Pera Nimithi - Pof. Sunil Ariyaratne, Beddegama - Willie Blake, Sathara Diganthaya - Wimal Kumara de Costa, Bandura Mal - Veena Jayakody, Bandura Mal - Dharma Sri Munasinghe, Thawalama - Farina Lai, Beddegama - Tony Ranasinghe, Sathweni Dawasa - Ravindra Ranasinghe, Sagarayak Meda - Iranganie Serasinghe, Anjana - Freddie Silva
1983 Winners
- Best Film: Maha Gedara - Chandrasiri Ganegoda
- Best Direction: Yahalu Yeheli - Sumitra Peries
- Best Actor: Malata Noena Bambaru - Joe Abeywickrama
- Best Actress: Re Manamali - Veena Jayakody
- Best Script Writer: Maha Gedara - Tissa Abeysekara
- Best Cinematographer: Yahalu Yeheli - Donald Karunarathna, Malata Noena Bambaru - Donald Karunarathna
- Best Editor: Malata Noena Bambaru - Lal Piyasena
- Best Music Director: Yahalu Yeheli - Nimal Mendis
- Best Art Director: Yahalu Yeheli - Hemapala Thale
- Best Sound Director: Malata Noena Bambaru - Michael Sathyanadan
- Best Makeup Artist: Kele Mal - Derric Frenando
- Best Supporting Actor: Adishtana - J. H. Jayawardana
- Best Supporting Actress: Maha Gedara - Geetha Kumarasinghe
- Best Lyrics Writer: Redi Nimnaya - "Sulaga Waga Evidin" - Bandara K. Wijethunga
- Best Playback Singer Male: Adishtana - Sunil Edirisinghe
- Best Playback Singer Female: Yasa Isuru - "Ammawarune" - Nanda Malini
- Merit Awards: Maha Gedara - Tissa Abeysekara, Maha Gedara - Sriyani Amarasena, Maha Gedara - Dhamma Jagoda, Biththi Hathara - Neel Alas, Yahalu Yeheli - Nadeeka Gunasekara, Maha Gedara - Tissa Abeysekara, Ridee Nimnaya - Swarna Mallawarachchi, Ridee Nimnaya - Shanthi Lekha, Paramitha - Tony Ranasinghe, Paramitha - Ravindra Randeniya, Kele Mal - Wijeratne Warakagoda
1984 Winners
Source:- Best Film Dadayama - Rabin Chandrasiri / Sunil Chandrasiri / P. A. Somapala
- Best Direction Dadayama - Vasantha Obeysekera
- Best Actor Dadayama - Ravindra Randeniya
- Best Actress Dadayama - Swarna Mallawarachchi
- Best Script Writer Dadayama - Vasantha Obeysekera / Christy Shelton Fernando / K. L. De Silva
- Best Cinematographer Dadayama - Donald Karunarathna, Thunweni Yamaya - Andrew Jayamanna
- Best Editor Dadayama - Stanly de Alwis
- Best Music Director Muhudu Lihini - H. M. Jayawardena
- Best Art Director Kaliyugaya - Eral Keli
- Best Sound Director Dadayama - K. P. K Balasingham
- Best Makeup Artist Muhudu Lihini - Ranjith Mathakaweera
- Best Supporting Actor Dadayama - Somy Rathnayake
- Best Supporting Actress Kaliyugaya - Trilicia Gunawardena
- Best Lyrics Writer Muhudu Lihini - "Sithija Ime Sidu Gembure" - Ajantha Ranasinghe
- Best Playback Singer Male Muhudu Lihini - "Sithija Ime Sidu Gembure" - W. D. Amaradeva
- Best Playback Singer Female Siwuraga Sena - "Wessa Wete Midule" - Nanda Malini
- Swarna Singhe Awards K. A. W. Perera
- Merit Awards Muhudu Lihini - Aruna Shanthi, Muhudu Lihini - Anoja Weerasinghe, Muhudu Lihini - Robin Fernando, Muhudu Lihini - D. B. Nihalsinghe, Dadayama - Rathnawali Kekunawela, Dadayama - Iranganie Serasinghe, Thunweni Yamaya - Wasantha Kotuwella, Thunweni Yamaya - Indira Johanclass, Pasamithuro - Alexander Fernando, Pasamithuro - Mervyn Jayathunga, Kaliyugaya - Punya Heendeniya
1985 Winners
Source:- Best Film: Arunata Pera - Ananda Gunasekara
- Best Direction: Arunata Pera - Amaranath Jayathilaka
- Best Actor: Arunata Pera - Wijeratne Warakagoda
- Best Actress: Arunata Pera - Chandi Rasika
- Best Script Writer: Arunata Pera - Amaranath Jayathilaka / Kumara Karunarathna
- Best Cinematographer: Maya - Donald Karunarathna, Arunata Pera - Duminda Weerasinghe
- Best Editor: Arunata Pera - Elmo Halliday
- Best Music Director: Arunata Pera - W. B. Makuloluwa
- Best Art Director: HimaKathara - Eral Keli
- Best Sound Director: HimaKathara - Shesha Palihakkara
- Best Makeup Artist: Maya - K. P. K. Balasingham
- Best Supporting Actor: HimaKathara - Sathischandra Edirisinghe
- Best Supporting Actress: Sathi Pooja - Chandani Seneviratne
- Best Lyrics Writer: HimaKathara - "Kanda Eha" - Augustus Vinayagarathnam
- Best Playback Singer Male: HimaKathara - "Kanda Eha" - Ivor Dennis
- Best Playback Singer Female: No Award
- Merit Awards: Himakathara - Dharmasiri Wickramarathna, Himakathara - Iranganie Serasinghe, Arunata Pera - Denawaka Hamine, Adara Geethaya - Douglas Ranasinghe, Adara Geethaya - Sabeetha Perera, Hithawathiya - Anoja Weerasinghe, Sathi Pooja - Suvineetha Weerasinghe, Deweni Gamana - Gamini Wijesooriya, Parasathuro - Sarath Dassanayake
President awarding - [Chandrika Kumaratunga]
2004 Winners
- Best Film - Mille Soya
- Best Director - Boodee Keerthisena
- Best Actor - Jackson Anthony
- Best Actress - Geetha Kumarasinghe
- Best Playback Singer - Deepika Priyadarshani
- Best Playback Singer - Harshana Dissanayake
- Best Make-up Artist - Ebert Wijesinghe
- Best Art Direction - Chandragupta Thenuwara
- Best Sound Direction - Shyaman Premasundara
- Best Supporting Actress - Grace Ariyawimal
- Best Supporting Actor - Mahendra Perera
- Best Editor - Ravindra Guruge
- Best Camera Direction - Channa Deshapriya
- Best Music Direction - Navaratne Gamage
- Best Script - Somaratne Dissanayake
- Best Composer- Somaratne Dissanayake
- Best Upcoming Actor - Roshan Ravindra
- Best Upcoming Actress -Chathurika Peiris
- Best Popular Movie - Renuka Balasooriya
- Pioneer Awards - Shelton Premaratne, G. D. L. Perera, Udula Dabare, Anula Karunathilaka
- Vishva Keerthi Awards - Bennett Rathnayake, Asoka Handagama, Nithyavani Kandasamy, Anoma Janadari, Inoka Sathyangani, Damitha Abeyratne, Prasanna Vithanage, Nimmi Harasgama
- Swarne Singhe Awards - Tony Ranasinghe, D. B. Nihalsinghe, Iranganie Serasinghe, Premasiri Khemadasa
- Special Award: Vimukthi Jayasundara
President awarding - [Maithripala Sirisena]
2015 Winners
Source:- Best Film: Mohomad Adom Ali
- Best Direction: Prasanna Vithanage
- Best Actor: Shyam Fernando
- Best Actress: Anjali Patail
- Best Script Writer: Prasanna Vithanage
- Best Cinematographer: Channa Deshapriya
- Best Editor: Sheker Prasad
- Best Music Director: Lakshman Joseph de Saram
- Best Film Song: Dinesh Subasinghe
- Best Art Director: Manjula Ayagama
- Best Sound Director: Thapas Nayak
- Best Makeup Artist: Harsha Manjula
- Best Supporting Actor: Jayalath Manoratne
- Best Supporting Actress: Damitha Abeyratne
- Best Lyrics Writer: Pallegama Hemarathana Thero
- Best Playback Singer Male: Amila Perera
- Best Playback Singer Female: Nirosha Virajini
- Special Jury Award: Kaushalya Fernando
- Swarna Singhe Awards: Nanda Malini, Vasantha Obeysekera, Swarna Mallawarachchi, Donald Karunarathna, Dharmasiri Bandaranayake, Anoja Weerasinghe
- Merit Awards: Dinakshie Priyasad, Senith Sathwiru Walpitagamage, Sathsara Sawan Jayasooriya, Senitha Dinith Gunasinhe, Nethpriya Madhubhashitha Ranawakarachchige, Thishakya Sankalana Kumarathunga
- Pioneer Awards: Tissa Liyanasooriya, Athor U. Amarasena, K. P. K Balasingham, Derrik Pranandu, A. D Ranjith Kumara, Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne, Chandra Kaluarachchi, Sunil Mihindukula, Gamini Weragama
2016 Winners
Source:| Category | Film | Recipient |
| Best Film | Let Her Cry | Asoka Jagath Wijenayake |
| Best Direction | Let Her Cry | Asoka Handagama |
| Best Script | Sayapethi Kusuma | Visakesa Chandrasekaram |
| Best Actor | Motor Bicycle | Dasun Pathirana |
| Best Actress | Let Her Cry | Swarna Mallawarachchi |
| Best Supporting Actor | Adaraneeya Kathawak | Bimal Jayakody |
| Best Supporting Actress | Motor Bicycle | Veena Jayakody |
| Best Supporting Actress | Paththini | Aruni Rajapaksha |
| Best Cinematographer | Let Her Cry | Channa Deshapriya |
| Best Lyricist | Sayapethi Kusuma | Visakesa Chandrasekaram |
| Best Music Director | Sakkarang | Nadeeka Guruge |
| Best Song | Motor Bicycle | Ajith Kumarasiri |
| Best Playback Singer | Let Her Cry | Chitral Somapala |
| Best Playback Singer | Motor Bicycle | Ajith Kumarasiri |
| Best Playback Songstress | Paththini | Nirosha Virajini |
| Best Playback Songstress | Sarigama | Uresha Ravihari |
| Best Editor | Let Her Cry | Ravindra Guruge |
| Best Sound Designer | Maya 3D | Pravin Jayaratne |
| Best Art Director | Sakkarang | Lal Harindranath |
| Best Make-up Artist | Maya 3D | Nalin Premarthilake |
| Best Actor in a Comedy Role | Maya 3D | Pubudu Chathuranga |
| Best Upcoming Actor | Sayapethi Kusuma | Jehan Sri Kanth |
| Best Film | Sayapethi Kusuma | Yashoda Rasanduni |
| Maximum Audience Response | Paththini | |
| Special Jury Awards | Paththini | Venuka Wickramaarachchi |
| Special Jury Awards | Paththini | Chandana Wickramasinghe |
| Special Jury Awards | Motor Bicycle | Samanalee Fonseka |
| Merit Awards | Sakkarang | Thusitha Laknath |
| Merit Awards | Motor Bicycle | Kalana Kusalatha |
| Merit Awards | Sakkarang | Prasadini Atapattu |
| Merit Awards | Adaraneeya Kathawak | Ruwan Costa |
2017 Winners
Source:| Category | Film | Recipient |
| Best Film | 28 | Rashitha Jinasena |
| Best Direction | 28 | Prasanna Jayakody |
| Best Script | 28 | Prasanna Jayakody |
| Best Actor | 28 | Mahendra Perera |
| Best Actress | 28 | Semini Iddamalgoda |
| Best Supporting Actor | Sulanga Gini Aran | Roshan Ravindra |
| Best Supporting Actress | Swaroopa | Nita Fernando |
| Best Cinematographer | Nimnayaka Hudekalawa | Channa Deshapriya |
| Best Lyricist | Kaala | Raji Wasantha Welgama |
| Best Music Director | Aloko Udapadi | Milinda Tennekoon |
| Best Song | Kaala | Darshana Ruwan Dissanayake |
| Best Playback Singer | Kaala | Thusith Simpson |
| Best Playback Songstress | Nino Live | Umali Thilakarathne |
| Best Editor | 28 | Rangana Sinharage |
| Best Sound Designer | Aloko Udapadi | Sasika Ruwan Marasinghe |
| Best Art Director | 28 | Nuwan Sanuranga |
| Best Make-up Artist | Swaroopa | Ranjith Manthagaweera |
| Best Actor in a Comedy Role | Paha Samath | Giriraj Kaushalya |
| Best Actor in a Comedy Role | Paha Samath | Priyantha Seneviratne |
| Best Upcoming Actor | Aloko Udapadi | Shammu Kasun |
| Best Upcoming Actress | Nino Live | Yureni Noshika |
| Maximum Audience Response | Dharmayuddhaya | |
| Special Jury Awards | A Level | Jayalath Manoratne |
| Special Jury Awards | Aloko Udapadi | Darshan Dharmaraj |
| Special Jury Awards | Aloko Udapadi | Chathra Weeraman |
| Merit Awards | A Level | Sachira Weerasinghe |
| Merit Awards | Kaala | Himasha Manupriya |
| Merit Awards | Swaroopa | Rini de Silva |
| Certificates of Jury Assessment | Kaala | Chalesha Charunethra |
| Certificates of Jury Assessment | Dharmayuddhaya | Vinumi Vinsadi |
| Certificates of Jury Assessment | Paha Samath | Sharad Chanduma |
| Certificates of Jury Assessment | Paha Samath | Sejan Hansaka |
| Certificates of Jury Assessment | Paha Samath | Kivindi Kasundara |
| Certificates of Jury Assessment | Paha Samath | Amiru Koralage |
2018 Winners
Source:| Category | Film | Recipient |
| Best Film | Davena Wihagun | Sanjeewa Pushpakumara |
| Best Direction | Davena Wihagun | Sanjeewa Pushpakumara |
| Best Script | Davena Wihagun | Sanjeewa Pushpakumara |
| Best Actor | Davena Wihagun | Mahendra Perera |
| Best Actress | Davena Wihagun | Anoma Janadari |
| Best Supporting Actor | Nidahase Piya DS | Poojitha de Mel |
| Best Supporting Actress | Davena Wihagun | Samanalee Fonseka |
| Best Cinematographer | Vaishnavee | Nimal Mendis |
| Best Lyricist | Sarungal | Achala Soloman |
| Best Music Director | According to Matthew | Chandana Jayasinghe |
| Best Song | Sarungal | Ranga Dassanayake |
| Best Playback Singer | Gharasarapa | Bachi Susan |
| Best Playback Songstress | Gharasarapa | Samitha Mudunkotuwa |
| Best Editor | Komaali Kings | Anjelo Jones |
| Best Sound Designer | Nidahase Piya DS | Pravin Jayaratne |
| Best Art Director | Komaali Kings | Dasun Ravinath |
| Best Make-up Artist | Vaishnavee | Ebert Wijesinghe |
| Best Make-up Artist | Vaishnavee | Ranjith Manthagaweera |
| Best Actor in a Comedy Role | Komaali Kings | Raja Ganesan |
| Best Upcoming Actor | Gharasarapa | Devnaka Porage |
| Best Upcoming Actress | Gharasarapa | Kavindya Adhikari |
| Maximum Audience Response | Bimba Devi Alias Yashodhara | |
| Special Jury Awards | Salei Pukkal | Sri Niroshan |
| Special Jury Awards | Salei Pukkal | Sudharshan Rutnam |
| Special Jury Awards | Goal | David Karunaratne |
| Merit Awards | Sarungal | Chamathka Lakmini |
| Merit Awards | Goal | Nayana Darshani Perera |
President awarding - [Ranil Wickramasinghe ]
2019 Winners
- Best Film: Ginnen Upan Seethala -
- Best Direction:
- Best Actor: Ginnen Upan Seethala - Kamal Addrarachchi
- Best Actress: Dekala Purudu Kenek - Samadi Laksiri
- Best Script Writer:
- Best Cinematographer:
- Best Editor:
- Best Music Director:
- Best Art Director:
- Best Sound Director:
- Best Supporting Actor:
- Best Supporting Actress:
- Best Lyrics Writer:
- Best Playback Singer Male:
- Best Playback Singer Female: Umariya Sinhawansa
- Special Jury Award:
- Merit Awards:
2020 Winners
- Best Film: The New Paper
- Best Direction: Palagetiyo - Vasantha Obeysekera
- Best Actor: "The News Paper" - Kumara Thirimadura
- Best Actress: Panshu - Nita Fernando
- Best Script Writer:
- Best Cinematographer:
- Best Editor:
- Best Music Director:
- Best Art Director:
- Best Sound Director:
- Best Supporting Actor:
- Best Supporting Actress:
- Best Lyrics Writer:
- Best Playback Singer Male:
- Best Playback Singer Female: Nanda Malini
- Special Jury Award:
- Merit Awards: