Church weekly remembers Catholic filmmaker

ucanews.com reporter, Colombo

The Colombo archdiocesan Sinhalese Catholic weekly has highlighted the contributions of an internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan film director, screenwriter and producer. Congratulating Lester James Peiris on his 92nd birthday on April 5, the Sunday issue of “Gnanartha Pradeepaya” (light of wisdom) said the Catholic filmmaker put Sri Lanka on the international film stage when in 1956 he made Rekava” (The Line of destiny), a story based on village life. The film was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 1957 Cannes Film Festival. Lester said missionary and local priests who did much to highlight local culture, influenced him. He has been involved in  28 films and in 2007 was given the title Sri Lankabhmanya, the country’s highest civilian honor. SR13932.1649