The 45th SIGNIS Salutation Awards, Sri Lanka’s most prestigious celebration of excellence in film and television, was held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo on Nov 1. The annual event, organized by the National Catholic Centre for Social Communications under the patronage of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka, gathered over a thousand members of the country’s entertainment industry to honor artistic achievement and moral vision.
Around a hundred artists were recognized across 94 categories for their remarkable contributions to Sri Lankan cinema and television, marking a night that blended faith, art, and national pride.
Distinguished Presence
Among those present at the event were Rt. Rev. Dr. Jude Nishantha, Chairman of the Bishops’ Commission for Social Communications, and Rev. Fr. Jude Chrysantha Fernando, National Director for Social Communications and President of SIGNIS Sri Lanka. and the Chief Guest, Rev. Fr. John Mi Shen, Executive Secretary of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, Office of Social Communication (FABC-OSC), and Program Director of Radio Veritas Asia (RVA).
In his welcome remarks, Fr. Fernando highlighted the significance of the ceremony as “a bridge between faith and creativity,” emphasizing the Church’s commitment to nurturing responsible and value-driven communication in Sri Lanka.
The Homage Awards
The night opened with an emotional tribute, the “Homage Awards 2025”, presented to senior artists for their lifelong dedication to Sri Lanka’s cultural landscape.
Among the honorees were:
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Dr. Victor Rathnayake – for his epoch-making contribution to Sri Lankan music.
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Dr. Nanda Malani – for her lifelong artistry and dedication to the nation’s musical heritage.
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Palitha Weerasekara Mediwaka – for his remarkable influence on Sri Lankan cinema.
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W. G. Podirathna – for his exceptional contributions to film.
These tributes stood as timeless acknowledgments of pioneers whose creative legacies continue to inspire new generations.
A Legacy Continued
One of the most moving moments of the ceremony came when Sajitha Anthony achieved a rare double victory, winning both Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor for two separate films. The achievement held deep emotional weight, as Sajitha had been nominated alongside his late father, the legendary Jackson Anthony, a pillar of Sri Lankan cinema.
As Sajitha was overseas to welcome the birth of his second son, his mother, veteran singer Kumari Munasinghe, accepted both awards on his behalf. Her tearful yet proud presence on stage deeply touched the audience, symbolizing the enduring spirit of artistry and faith within one of Sri Lanka’s most beloved artistic families.
Communication - an Act of Love
Delivering the keynote address, Fr. John Mi Shen expressed his joy at being in Sri Lanka for the first time, warmly greeting the audience with “Ayubowan!” He reflected on the spiritual dimension of media, recalling the Church’s teaching in Communio et Progressio that “communication is not merely about sharing information, it is about building communion.”
“Every story we tell and every image we create has the power either to divide or to unite, to wound or to heal. True communication is ultimately an act of love,” Fr. Mi Shen said.
He emphasized that media professionals carry a sacred responsibility “to make truth visible and compassion tangible,” describing their work as “a vocation of storytelling and a ministry of culture.”
Fr. Mi Shen commended SIGNIS Sri Lanka for promoting ethical journalism, nurturing young communicators, and fostering peace through creative expression. He concluded by urging artists “to tell stories that unite rather than divide, that heal rather than harm, and that reveal God’s tenderness in our world.”
A Celebration of Art, Faith, and Humanity
As the evening drew to a close, the atmosphere at BMICH was one of gratitude and pride. The 45th SIGNIS Salutation Awards not only honored artistry but also celebrated the deeper calling of media to serve truth, build harmony, and reflect the divine through creativity.
In honoring over 100 artists, the ceremony became more than a showcase of talent; it was a tribute to the enduring partnership between art and faith in shaping the conscience and culture of the nation.
“It was a night of light and inspiration,” one participant shared, “reminding us that in every good story, there is a glimpse of God.”
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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