Danu Innasithamby Honoured as Media Personality of the Year 2026 at IBDF Top 40 International Ranking Awards

Danu Innasithamby, Head of Channel – Hi TV at Wijeya Newspapers Ltd, has been recognised as Media Personality of the Year 2026 at the prestigious IBDF Top 40 – International Ranking Awards 2026, held on 6 November at the iconic Colombo Lotus Tower.

Organised by the International Business Development Forum (IBDF), the awards celebrate 40 outstanding Sri Lankans who have demonstrated excellence and made significant contributions across entrepreneurship, business, professional services and social service sectors.

The recognition marks another significant milestone in Innasithamby’s remarkable journey, as he celebrates 25 years in Sri Lanka’s media and entertainment industry.

Over the past two and a half decades, Innasithamby has established himself as one of Sri Lanka’s versatile media personalities, building a career spanning television presenting, interviewing, acting, entertainment, digital content creation and public engagement.

As Head of Channel at Hi TV, Wijeya Newspapers Ltd, he has played a key role in developing engaging television content and creating platforms that celebrate personalities, talent and stories from across Sri Lanka.

His popular programmes, including Date with Danu, Danu on Fire and Danuta Kiyanna, have brought audiences closer to inspiring individuals from diverse backgrounds, while reflecting his distinctive approach to storytelling, humour and meaningful conversations.

Beyond television, Innasithamby has contributed to Sri Lanka’s entertainment landscape through his involvement in major productions, including Sri Lanka’s Got Talent as a judge and MasterChef Sri Lanka as a host.

His influence also extends beyond the screen through social initiatives, youth empowerment, advocacy and community engagement. Through the Danu Innasithamby Foundation’s Sri Lankan Smile initiative and his involvement with organisations supporting education and social development, he continues to use his platform to create positive change.

Originally from Jaffna, Innasithamby’s journey from his northern roots to becoming a recognised personality in Sri Lanka’s media industry is one of perseverance, resilience and determination. His autobiography, Jaffna Boy – Colombo Diva, further captures the experiences and challenges that have shaped his life and career.

Reflecting on the recognition, Innasithamby said:

“Twenty-five years in this industry have taught me that success is never an individual journey. Every opportunity, every challenge and every person who believed in me has contributed to where I stand today. Being recognised as Media Personality of the Year is truly special, particularly at a time when I am celebrating 25 years of doing what I love. I remain grateful to my colleagues, my audiences and everyone who has supported my journey. There are still many stories to tell, and I am far from finished!”

The IBDF Top 40 recognition adds to a growing list of honours received by Innasithamby for his contributions to media, entertainment and digital communication.

As he celebrates his silver jubilee in the industry, this latest achievement reinforces his continued commitment to storytelling, innovation and using media as a platform to inform, entertain and inspire.

From Jaffna Boy to Colombo Diva, 25 years later, the journey continues.