the fifth sumathi awards ceremony was celebrated at the sugathadasa indoor stadium on 6 november 1999, where 31 awards were given at the ceremony under 5 categories. tourism and aviation minister dharmasiri senanayake and sports and youth affairs minister s. b. dissanayake were participated as the chief guests. the cash prize of rs 50,000 was given to the best television serial and cash prize of rs 20,000 was given to the best single episode serial.. in the best award category, sumathi award for the best teledrama actor was won by suminda sirisena and best teledrama actress was chandani seneviratne. in popular award category, sriyantha mendis won the most popular actor award, whereas yashoda wimaladharma won the most popular actress award for the second consecutive time. the u.w. sumathipala memorial award was given to, veteran director k.a.w perera and veteran actor joe abeywickrama. out of 31 awards given, teledrama "nisala vila" won 8 awards, including best actor, actress, director and music director.