Raigam Tele’es celebrates 20 years: Honoring excellence in Lankan TV industry

Recognizing and appreciating excellence in the realm of television and cinema, various festivals, both domestic and international, serve as platforms to commend outstanding work by artists, producers, and institutions. In Sri Lanka, such recognition commenced with the inaugural Sarasaviya Cinema Award Ceremony on May 9, 1964, paving the way for several subsequent award ceremonies organized by governmental and non-governmental bodies, contributing to the industry’s growth.

In 2005, the Raigam Group of Companies introduced the Raigam Tele’es to bridge the gap created by the country’s unstable situation, establishing a regular award ceremony for the television industry. Over the past nineteen years, Raigam Tele’es has evolved into Sri Lanka’s most prestigious television festival, maintaining high-quality standards in judging, presentation, and extensive coverage across television channels and social media.

This year marks the 20th Anniversary of Raigam Tele’es, a celebration of its enduring legacy and influence in the television industry. The festival’s sustainability is bolstered by a robust partnership with Sampath Bank, a key pillar supporting its continued success.

The festival’s selection process begins with public applications and invitations extended to television channels to submit their prospective entries. Entries, certified by respective Channel Heads for airing during the relevant period, undergo thorough scrutiny. Notably, repeat telecasts and programs aired on paid channels are ineligible for awards. The deadline for Raigam Tele’es 2023 entries is January 15, 2024, with a competent and independent panel of judges meticulously evaluating all submissions.

The credibility of any award ceremony lies in the integrity of its selection process. The Raigam Tele’es Secretariat has appointed a panel comprising distinguished academics, artists, and critics in the field, chaired by Buddadasa Galappatty, ensuring an esteemed and impartial judging process.

The festival extended its commitment beyond an annual award ceremony through its Corporate Social Responsibility program, ‘Raigam-Sampath Yuthukama.’ Aimed at assisting physically impaired artists, the initiative provided financial benefits to veteran artists Jakson Anthoney and teledrama director Nalan Mendis. Additionally, all nominees received medical and life insurance coverage for a year, demonstrating the festival’s broader commitment to artist welfare.