How does it feel to possess this award…?

Damitha: I consider this award as a reward for my talents. It indeed gives me new vigour and strength to continue my good work. I am fortunate to have received awards in all categories for my acting prowess. Every award I win turns a new leaf in my career.

Bimal: I treat this award as a reminder that we have to play our part well and that we are engaged in a dignified profession. I always wonder how I can give back the results of this award to my fans and my creations.

Did you anticipate the award this year?

Damitha: I never go to award festivals with expectations. But when the nomination lists were published in the DM Reel Life, several people called to congratulate me. Until my name was announced I did not expect it to be mine. In life I am content with whatever I get, and that trait makes me happy.  

Bimal: Honestly no.. I never act targeting awards. But the hard work of director Reginold Jayamanne and me to justify the role of Amantha in ‘Senakeliyai Maya’ resulted in the audiences giving it some special treatment. I was satisfied when I knew that I was nominated among the final three for this award.

How significant are awards for an artiste?

Damitha: Awards convey a positive message and encourages us to continue our good work. Our tele drama industry is huge, but we just have a few award ceremonies linked to it. Awards really motivate an artiste, director, scriptwriter or technician.

Bimal: It differs according to different artistes. For me, I think the award carries some degree of responsibility too towards my future creations. I am bound to do justice to my role and be fair by the audience. Acting is a responsible profession. I don’t think it can be done as a hobby.

The role that brought you the award…?

Damitha: ‘Emaliya’ was the character I played in Swayanjatha. It was an emotional character that runs through the carefree period of youth to the mature stages facing the ups and downs in life. She is so dedicated to the family and brings up the other children as if her own. The role depicts three generations. Director Sudath Rohana and co-artistes helped me build up this exemplary character. It is one of the characters I cherish.   

Bimal: I should give due credit to director Reginold Jayamanne who helped to create this role within me. I always discussed the character ‘Amantha’ with my director who knew I understood his vision. Then came the freedom and that helped me to generate this character. I had to also play the father-daughter relationship with Pabodha in this story.

What kind of support did you get from the director or script to develop this role?

Damitha: After I read the script, Sudath Rohana spoke to me and discussed details like the altered dialogue delivery styles and usage of language to suit that period. Those pieces of advice really helped me work on the character. Sarath Dharmasiri had written the script based on a story by Tissa Abeysekara. Sarath Dharmasiri is a gifted writer and director who won the award for ‘Ethkanda Lihiniya’ direction this year.

Bimal: Generally there is a gap between the way the scriptwriter and the director absorbs the character. But here fortunately Reginold was both scriptwriter and director. That helped me grasp the essence of the role. He is a director I look forward to work again.

Do you have any plans to produce or direct a film or tele drama?


Damitha: My maiden tele drama direction ‘Sasara Sarani’ will be released soon. I directed it while acting. I hope to engage in producing and directing in the future too.

Bimal: Direction is of course one of my dreams, but I think there is lot to learn before I take up that responsibility Art in any form exists because of fans, so I always respect my fans.


Interestingly, the recipients of this year’s Raigam best actor and best actress awards can sing well… Will you some day walk away with the best singer’s award too?

Damitha: True. Bimal is an extremely talented singer and I hope he can do very well as a singer if thinks about it seriously. I don’t expect awards for singing, but I am looking forward to do some songs of my own. There are some musical shows lined up for me in Malaysia and Canada.

Bimal: Singing is also a serious art which I respect. I have studied music and I have an innocent dream of singing a couple of songs of my own when my voice has the power to do so.