A multi-coloured galaxy of stars thronged the Water’s Edge on Friday evening when the eighth Raigam Tele’es Awards ceremony unfolded amidst an electrifying atmosphere, focusing on small screen creations telecast in 2011.

Talented actress Nadeesha Hemamali’s maiden tele drama production ‘Ethkanda Lihiniya’ directed by Sarath Dharmasiri won the award for the best tele drama while Damitha Abeyrtane bagged the best tele drama actress award. Bimal Jayakody won the award for the best actor.

Young Nehara Peiris walked away with the award for the most popular tele actress for the fourth consecutive year while Saranga Dissasekara was voted the most popular actor.

Upul Jayasinghe’s ‘Sihina Piyapath’ directed by Sandun Rajakaruna was voted the most popular tele drama.

Sudath Rohana’s ‘Swayanjatha’ also clinched several key awards at the festival.

Awards list

Raigam Tele’es 2011: Main award winners

Best Tele Drama: Ethkanda Lihiniya (Nadeesha Hemamali)

Best Tele Director (Serial):  Sarath Dharmasiri (Ethkanda Lihiniya)

Best Actor: Bimal Jayakody (Senakeliyai Maya)

Best Actress:– Damitha Abeyratne (Swayanjatha)

Best Single Episode tele drama:  Sulangata Enna Kiyanna

Best reality programme: Ranaviru Real Star

Best Quiz programme: Obada Laxapathi Mamada Laxapathi

Best political talk show : Rathu Ira

Best Documentary Apuru Iskola Mahaththaya

Best musical programme: Sadu Nada

Special tribute awards; Thilak Gunawardane, Rosmand Senaratne

Prathibha Prabha (Lifetime Achievement Award) Tony Ranasinghe

Most Popular Actor: Saranga Dissasekara

Most Popular Actress: Nehara Peiris

Most Popular Tele Drama – Sihina Piyapath

Best TV News presenter:  Chethana Liyanage (Sinhala), Irfan Mohamed (Tamil), Mahina Bongso (English)

Best TV Host:  Samitha Prasannaarachchi (Sinhala), C. Kirubakaran (Tamil), Sharon Mascrenhas (English)

Channel of the year 2010 : Swarnavahini

Channel of the year 2011 : ITN

Best Supporting Actor: Athula Pathirana (Swayanjatha)

Best Supporting Actress: Prathiba Hettiarachchi (Senakeliyai Maya)

Best up and coming actor: Ryan Vanroyen

Best up and coming actress: Rashmi Yalagama

Best Singer (male): Sunil Edirisinghe (Swayanjatha)

Best Singer (female): Visharada Nanda Malini (Swayanjatha)

Best Music Director: Navaratne Gamage (Swayanjatha)

Best Lyricist: Bandara Eheliyagoda (Swayanjatha)

Best Camera/ Lighting: Chinthaka Somakeerthi (Kadadora)

Best make up: Nalin Premathilaka / Pujitha Sandadura (Swayanjatha)

Best Art Direction: Deepthi Mangalasoma (Swayanjatha)

Best Editor: Himal Dharmaratne (Ethkanda Lihiniya)

Jury Merit Awards

Pransi Tenara, Thishuna Perera, Chamila Attanayake, Anura Bandara Rajaguru, Uddika Premaratne

Special Jury awards

Himali Siriwardana, Priyankara Rathnayake, Sriyantha Mendis, 360 Degrees political programme, Loka Sithiyama