 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (April 2020) |
Lester James Peries | |
|---|---|
| ලෙස්ටර් ජේම්ස් පීරිස් | |
 | |
| Born | 5 April 1919 |
| Died | 28 April 2018 (aged 99) |
| Occupation(s) | Film director, Film producer and Screenwriter |
| Years active | 1949–2006 |
| Spouse | Sumitra Peries (1964–2018; his death) |
| Website | www |
Sri Lankabhimanya Lester James Peries (Sinhala: ශ්රී ලංකාභිමාන්ය ලෙස්ටර් ජේම්ස් පීරිස්; 5 April 1919 – 29 April 2018) was a Sri Lankan film director, screenwriter, and film producer.[1][2][3] Considered as the father of Sri Lankan cinema,[4] Lester worked as a filmmaker from 1949 to 2006, and was involved in over 28 films, including shorts and documentaries.
He received critical acclaim for directing Rekava, Gamperaliya, Nidhanaya, Golu Hadawatha, Kaliyugaya, Awaragira and Yuganthaya. His movie Wekande Walauwa, starring Ravindra Randeniya and Malini Fonseka, was Sri Lanka's first ever submission for the Academy Awards and the film Nidhanaya was included among the top 100 films of the century by the Cinémathèque Française.[5] Peries' films often deal with Sri Lankan family life in rural settings and conflicted characters. He helped create an authentic expression of Sinhala Cinema.[3][6]
- ^ "Nidhanaya". BFI. 2006. Archived from the original on 9 September 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2007.
- ^ "Lester James Peries and Clint Eastwood to receive UNESCO's Fellini Gold Medal at Cannes Festival". UNESCO. 2003. Retrieved 17 April 2007.
- ^ a b "Lester James Peries: A Pioneer of a Tradition". FIPRESKI. 2007. Retrieved 17 April 2007.
- ^ "'Father of Sri Lankan cinema' is no more". Sunday Times. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
- ^ A call to preserve national cinematic history, The Island (Sri Lanka) (October 19, 2013), Retrieved 03-05-2018
- ^ Dr Lester James Peries, Father of Sri Lankan Cinema, T.K.Premadasa, Asian Tribune Retrieved 30 March 2016