Final rites of Dr. Lester James Peiris to be performed on the 2nd of May

COLOMBO (News 1^st) -President Maithripala Sirisena has issued instructions, to carry out the final rites of Late Dr. Lester James Peries, under state patronage. His remains were brought to the residence on Lester James Peires Mawatha, Colombo 05, where it will lie until 10 AM the Wednesday (April 2) for the public to pay their final respects. One of the most senior icons of the film industry, Dr. Lester James Peries passed away yesterday (April 29th) at the age of 99. Dr. Lester James Peries was a renowned Film Director, Producer and Screen Writer who received worldwide critical acclaim for his films including, Rekawa, Gamperaliya, Nidanaya, and Yuganthaya. He was an active filmmaker since 1949 and was involved in over 28 films, including shorts and documentaries. Lester James Peries was born on 5 April 1919 in Dehiwela, Colombo. His father, Dr. James Francis Peries, studied medicine in Scotland and was also a cricketer for a Scottish club. He attended St. Peter's College as a teenager, before dropping out to pursue a career in journalism at the age of 17. He found his first work with the Daily News. In 1939 he joined The Times of Ceylon working under Indian editor Frank Moraes. He also reviewed books on Radio Ceylon for a short period. Peries first real work with production came when he joined a theatre group called Drama Circle. This was a group of like-minded individuals which regularly produced modern English plays. Here Peries was engaged in all aspects of the productions other than acting. He was receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo when he passed away. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7lGj7A76Cw