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Celebrating a Cinematic Legacy Lester James Peries Oration 2025

The Lester James Peries Oration 2025 was held on the 16th of July at the Law Faculty Auditorium, University of Colombo. This year’s oration, delivered by Professor Patrick Ratnayake, was centered on “Sumitra Peries’ Legacy to Sri Lankan Cinema,” reflecting on her profound influence on the evolution of the local film industry.
The event was a tribute to the cinematic brilliance and enduring contributions of the late Sumitra Peries, one of the pioneering women filmmakers in Sri Lanka. It brought together academics, film enthusiasts, and members of the creative community to commemorate her visionary work, storytelling, and commitment to the craft.
Organised by the Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation, the oration is an annual event that celebrates the lives and work of two of Sri Lanka’s most revered cinematic icons, fostering continued dialogue around their impact on national and international cinema.

Event Lester James Peries Oration 2025
 Date 16 July 2025
Venue  Law Faculty Auditorium, University of Colombo
Organizer 
Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation

Katen Doe

Rishini Weeraratne

Editor, The Sun (Sri Lanka) Rishini Weeraratne is a prominent figure in Sri Lanka’s media industry, with an impressive portfolio spanning journalism, digital media, and content strategy. As the Editor of The Sun (Sri Lanka) and The Weekend Online at the Daily Mirror, she plays a pivotal role in shaping thought-provoking and engaging content. In her capacity as Head of Social Media at Wijeya Newspapers Limited, she oversees the social media strategy for leading platforms, including Daily Mirror Online, Lankadeepa Online, Tamil Mirror Online, HI!! Online, Daily FT Online, Times Online, WNow English, and WNow Sinhala. Beyond her editorial work, Rishini is the author of ‘She Can,’ a widely followed weekly column celebrating the stories of empowered women in Sri Lanka and beyond. Her writing extends to fashion, events, lifestyle, world entertainment news, and trending global topics, reflecting her versatile approach to journalism. Recognized for her contributions to digital media, Rishini was honoured with the Top50 Professional and Career Women’s Global Award in 2023 for Leadership in Digital Media in Sri Lanka by Women in Management. Under her guidance, her team has achieved significant accolades, including Social Media House of the Year (2020, New Generation Awards), Youth Corporate Award (2021, New Generation Awards) and the Silver Award from YouTube for both Daily Mirror Online and Lankadeepa Online. Currently, Rishini divides her time between London and Colombo, continuing to drive innovation in media while championing powerful storytelling across multiple platforms.

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