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Sumitra Peries (March 24, 1935–January 19, 2023) was a Sri Lankan filmmaker. She was the first female film director from Sri Lanka.[1] and was known as the "Poetess of Sinhala Cinema".[2] She also held the post of Sri Lanka's ambassador to France, Spain and the United Nations in the late 1990s. Of her films the more popular ones are Gehenu Lamai, Ganga Addara and Yahaluvo. She was married to the most prolific Sri Lankan film director Dr. Lester James Peries.[3][4]
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2020) |
Sumitra Peries | |
|---|---|
| සුමිත්රා පීරිස් | |
| Born | 24 March 1935 |
| Died | 19 January 2023 (aged 87) Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Occupation | Filmmaker |
| Spouse | Lester James Peries (1964–2018) |
Education
Peries began her education in Avissawella, then later enrolled to Visakha Vidyalaya in Colombo, and finally joined the Aquinas College Colombo to do the London Advanced Level.[citation needed] At the age of 20 Sumitra managed to find some money and traveled to Europe by ship to meet her elder brother Gamini. She was going to build her own career there, although she didn't know it at the time.[5]
Peries studied filmmaking at the London School of Film Technique and was awarded a Diploma in Film Direction and Production (1957–1959).[6]
Peries won the award for the best film director in fifty years of Sri Lankan cinema.[7]
| Year | Film | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Gehenu Lamai | [8] |
| 1980 | Ganga Addara | |
| 1982 | Yahalu Yeheli | [8] |
| 1984 | Maya | |
| 1988 | Sagara Jalaya Madi Handuwa Oba Handa | |
| 1996 | Loku Duwa | |
| 1997 | Duwata Mawaka Misa | |
| 2003 | Sakman Maluwa | [8] |
| 2018 | Vaishnavee |
Sumitra married Lester James Peries (1919–2018) on June 19, 1964, at All Saints Church, Borella, and a reception was held at the residence of Anton Wickremasinghe afterwards.
Peries died on January 19, 2023, at the age of 87.[9]
- The title of Kala Keerthi by the Government of Sri Lanka in 2005
- The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays by the Government of Japan in 2021 [10]
- Awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Kelaniya for her outstanding contribution to local cinema.[11]
- Rana Thisara Lifetime Achievement Award (1993)[12]
The Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation was inaugurated in 2011, at the BMICH with an oration by the chief guest, celebrated Indian film-maker Padma Vibushan Dr. Adoor Gopalakrishnan, and the Speaker of Parliament, Chamal Rajapakse, as the Guest of Honor. The Foundation is incorporated through an act of Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.[13]
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