The 8th edition of Derana-Lux Film Awards got underway at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre in Colombo on Friday evening (Sept. 08) with artistes adding glitz and glamour to the enchanting night.

The ceremony recognizes and celebrates the top talents of Sri Lankan cinema for the brilliance they showcased in 2022.

Kalana Gunasekara who starred in the action-packed thriller feature film “Night Rider”, Shyam Fernando in the drama film “CineMa” and Tray Hicks in the trilingual period movie “Praana” (Seeds) were the leading contenders for the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

Meanwhile, Gunasekara’s co-star in “Night Rider” Yureni Noshika, Nethmi Roshel in the romantic musical movie “Adaraneeya Prarthana” and Ishanka Jahanvi in the romantic movie “Ashawari” vied for the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

For the Best Picture award, renowned filmmaker Ashoka Handagama’s “Alborada”, Kasun Pathirana’s directorial debut “Night Rider” and Sanjaya Nirmal’s “Praana” which is based on the true story of the Great Catholic Christian Massacre in 1544 had topped the list of nominations.

“Alborada” and “Night Rider” were also nominated for the Best Director award, alongside “Adaraneeya Prarthana”. These three pictures also topped the nominations for the Best Screenplay award.

The full list of winners:

• Best Actress in a Leading Role – Yureni Noshika (“Night Rider”)
• Best Actor in a Leading Role – Tray Hicks (“Seeds”)
• Best Director – Ashoka Handagama (“Alborada”)
• Best Picture – “Alborada”
• Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Wasantha Kumaravila (“The Game”)
• Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Rithika Kodithuwakku, Anne Solen Hatte and Nimaya Harris (“Alborada”)
• Best Screenplay – Ashoka Handagama (“Alborada”)
• Best Editing – Ravinda Guruge (“Alborada”)
• Best Sound Design – Sashin Gimhan (“Seeds”)
• Best Original Music Score – Namini Panchala and Ajith Kumarasiri (“Alborada”)
• Best Visual Effects – Buddhika Wijerathna and Saminda Wathawanavithanage (“Seeds”)
• Best Art Direction – Dhammika Hewawaththa (“Seeds”)
• Best Short Film – Thesen Umagiliya (“Distance”) 
• Best Short Film (Special Jury Award) – Keniston John (“Marcus”)
• Most Popular Actor – Ranjan Ramanayake 
• Most Popular Actress – Nayanathara Wickramaarachchi
• Most Popular Actor in a Comedy Role – Rodney Warnakula
• Most Popular Actor in a Negative Role – Bimal Jayakodi
• Most Popular Song – Bathiya & Santhush (artist), Yasas Medagedara (music) and Shehan Galahitiyawa (lyrics)
• Most Popular Choreographer – Gayan Srimal 
• Blockbuster Movie of the Year – “Gindari”
• “Cinema of Tomorrow” Best Picture – Visakesa Chandrasekaram for “Munnel”
• “Cinema of Tomorrow” Most Promising Director – Jagath Manuwarna (“Rahas Kiyana Kandu”)