“Lester by Lester as told to Kumar de Silva” now a Kindle edition on amazon.com

Today, April 5, is the 102nd birth anniversary of the Father of Modern Sri Lankan Cinema Dr. Lester James Peries. 
Ever since the launch of his first movie ‘Rekawa’ 65 years ago, volumes have been written about him over the years by others, both locally and internationally. However the very first time he chose to write about himself and his half a century film making career, in a single volume was when he collaborated with Kumar de Silva.

Launched in 2007, ‘Lester by Lester …. as told to Kumar de Silva’ takes its readers through the trials and tribulations to a variety of anecdotes and memorable moments in the making of his twenty films.It is a celebration of half a century of locally and internationally acclaimed creative excellence. 

• The book takes its readers through the trials and tribulations to a variety of anecdotes and memorable moments 

In celebration of the maestro’s birthday this year, this book is now available as a Kindle book on amazon.com. “I’m elated I could take LJP’s story into an electronic format on Kindle and thus reach out to a far greater reading public, not only in Sri Lanka but overseas too”, Kumar says.

A VijithaYapa Publication, the book’s twenty chapters are devoted to each of his twenty films, from ‘Rekawa’ (The Line of Destiny - 1956) his first, to ‘Ammawarune’ (Elegy for a Mother - 2006) his last.

In his Preface to the book, Dr.Peries writes thus ….“When you have worked with artistes who enjoy iconic status today, but were unknown when you started their careers, how much can you reveal? When you have ghost directed a considerable number of scenes, would you now reveal what has been an artistic triumph today? Historical veracity may try to force you to, but the ethical thing to do is to keep your trap shut.In all these crises, Kumar’s wise counsel prevailed. If not for his persistence over five long years this book would never have 
been published”.