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| Sunday, 5 December 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Dr. Lester James Peiris Foundation : Better late than never by Prasad Gunewardene Dr. Lester James Peiris, the veteran film director needs no introduction. At 85, this active film personality has a powerful memory. He is still committed to the welfare of the film industry. His memory power is significant.
I walked into his house at Dickman's Road, a fortnight ago in the company of my cousin, Dhammith Fonseka to invite this great man to be a Patron of the Gamini Fonseka Foundation that would come into effect in a few days time. As I shook hands to introduce myself to this legendary film maker, he looked at me and said, "Prasad, you have interviewed me twenty five years ago". I was shocked as I could not remember though I am 36 years younger than he. Later I confessed having done so for the now defunct 'Sun' group of newspapers way back in 1981. This elegantly dressed Doctor in the film industry who has contributed his might for over fifty five years, began to talk about the late Gamini Fonseka, whom he introduced to the film industry as a Technician. When we spoke about forming a Foundation in memory of the legendary actor, Dr. Peiris excused himself to bring a document from his room which he said was a similar move by him. Yes... this document was titled - 'Dr. Lester James Peiris Foundation' - designed for the welfare of the film industry. This great man who nurtured and pioneered the film industry has been left to spend his own time and resources in getting the document prepared, similar to a draft of setting up a company. Lester James is a national asset. His dream to set up such a Foundation should have been the responsibility of the State. Such a Foundation should go as an urgent bill through Parliament considering the age of Dr. Peiris. He is keen to see that his dream becomes a reality at the age of 85. "Better late than never', he lamented adding that a Foundation of that nature would be an institution to the crumbling industry. If not for Dr. Lester James Peiris, Sri Lanka would have never had a legendary actor like Gamini Fonseka. Gamini Fonseka is no more. Popular actor Vijaya Kumaratunga predeceased him some years ago in a tragic manner. Let us examine some lessons we experienced after the death of these two outstanding actors. Their deaths became instant business for certain groups in the country. Vijaya's name was made a business for several years by these groups. The same pattern followed withGamini Fonseka. Before Gamini's seventh day alms giving, huge hoardings of Gamini Fonseka Film Festival were transported in bullock carts in Colombo. The family members were unaware and even the National Film Corporation was kept in the dark. The extremism displayed by politicians who backed the 1983 July disturbances was the cause that led to the destruction of films that were preserved. Over 200 films preserved by Ceylon Studios were set ablaze. The remaining were bought by some elements for a pittance as pioneers in the film industry like Messrs' Gunaratnam and Selvaratnam who created the Sinhala cinema lost interest in the film scene. Most of these films bought for a pittance at that time by those elements were the most popular films of the late Vijaya and Gamini. These were films that broke box office records. Lester James, aware of the fate that has befallen Vijaya and Gamini has thought ahead to set up a Foundation to preserve and protect treasured films of the past and also develop the industry which is now in a sad state. He was happy that Gamini's son Dhammith had taken the initiative to set up a Foundation for Gamini to preserve and protect the rights and works of the actor. Dhammith explained to Dr. Peiris that unscrupulous elements were in the process of conducting festivals and collecting money using his father's name and he wanted to set up a Foundation to stop all those illegal activities. When Gamini Fonseka's condolence vote was taken up in Parliament, there had been a ceremony to donate some sports goods in memory of Gamini to the Parliament Sports Association by a former Coordinating Secretary to Gamini during his tenure as Deputy Speaker. A sponsor had come forward to help this donation. The family members who arrived in Parliament were shocked to hear of such a ceremony organised without their consent and approval. Dr. Peiris who attentively listened to the ugly episodes that had confronted the memories of legendary actors like Gamini and Vijaya, said the move to set up a Foundation would definitely stop illegal activities by organised groups. Dr. Peiris readily agreed to be a Patron of the Gamini Fonseka Foundation to look after the interests of his student in the industry. But, Lester James is the living pioneer in the film scene. Therefore, the Dr. Lester James Peiris Foundation should not be set up in the form of a private institute. He too does not like it as provisions envisaged in such a document is not free from tax. He is establishing it for the nation and the nation has a duty by him. He invites the State Film Corporation to make his dream a reality. "The State must also play a role in approving the Gamini Fonseka Foundation through Parliament before late", Dr. Peiris added. |
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