PEOPLE

Happy birthday Lester

Tribute book to be presented on April 5:

Lester - Cinema and Sri Lanka by Ajith Galappatty, a tribute opus to mark the 97th birthday of Dr. Lester James Peries, published by Sarasavi Publishers, Nugegoda, will be presented to the cinematic legend on April 5 (his birthday), at his residence amidst a gathering of few invitees from the film industry and other distinguished personalities.

The official launch of the book will take place at the Tharagani Cinema of the National Film Corporation on a later date.

Lester - the cinematic legend of the Sri Lankan cinema, spoke of the historical importance of preserving films as a means of creatively documenting the past, and lamented throughout his film career about the inability of the film to 'grow up. He believes the cinema has the 'ability to sway emotions, re-shapes ideas, implants dogma, change habits and has faith in future generation of film-makers. He feels they would be more subtle, more elliptical, and more oblique in their narration.

In recognition of his remarkable contribution to the Sri Lankan and the international cinema Lester received LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT - Special Award at the International Film Festival in the Year 2000 and the 20th century Masterpieces at the PUSAN Film Festival - 1999 for his greatest feature film 'Nidhanaya'. He is the first recipient of Asia Film Culture Award - 2000 for Outstanding Contribution to Asian Cinema: Asia Film Foundation - Mumbai

The book Lester - Cinema and Sri Lanka, sees veteran film writer and film critic Ajith Galappatty contemplating on Dr. Peries' film career with a documentation and his personal life as well.