Remembering Lester The Legend

The third death anniversary of globally renowned legendary moviemaker Dr. Lester James Peries falls on April 28. Lester who catapulted Sinhala cinema into sharp international focus through his cinematic creations, will indeed remain as the biggest brand name in the local film industry.

- Ramesh Uvais

Born on April 5, 1919 in Colombo, Dr. Peries was persuaded by his parents to prepare himself for priesthood but the old boy of St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya, by his own choice preferred to pursue his interest in theatre and films.

During his six-year stint as a journalist in London from 1946 to 1952, Lester cultivated his interest in films with great sincerity and commitment. Having joined the Government Film Unit (GFU) as an assistant director on his return to Sri Lanka, Lester worked under prestigious names like Ralph Keene and learned a great deal on the art of filmmaking. He made a number of documentaries at the GFU, but all the while he had been nursing the plot of a story that became a reality when he made his debut film ‘Rekhawa’ in 1955.