The Public Administration, Home Affairs and Local Government and Provincial Councils Ministry yesterday said that the funeral of Sri Lanka’s first woman filmmaker, Dr. Sumitra Peries will be held at the Independence Square, Colombo 7 at 4. p.m. today under State patronage. Dr. Peries, who began her career as an assistant director and editor, was Sri Lanka’s first female filmmaker and a key figure in bringing women’s stories to Sri Lankan cinema.
Over the course of her career, which spanned more than 10 films, Dr. Peries worked as a director, filmmaker, and screenwriter. Some of her best-known works include Gehenu Lamai, Ganga Addara, and Yahaluvo. Dr. Peries, who was born Sumitra Gunawardena in 1934, was married to the late Lester James Peries, considered the father of Sri Lankan cinema. She also served as Sri Lanka’s ambassador to France and Spain from 1996 to 1999 and was later appointed as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United Nations.
Funeral live cast on SLRC, SLBC
The Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation will live telecast the funeral of veteran film-maker Sumithra Peries from 4 p.m. today.
