He was married to Chithra Peiris and the couple had two sons, Prakash and Eshantha, and one daughter, Menaka.
[5] In 1959, he produced a Sinhala play called Karolis and Porolis along with his friend Marapana during his last year at school.
His maiden cinema acting came through Delovak Athara directed by Lester James Peries with a supportive role.
His first main role in cinema was in Thana Giravi directed by Roy de Silva.
[8] In 1994, Peiris won the award for the Best Actor at Sarasaviya Film Festival for the role in Guru Gedara.
Some of his most critically acclaimed roles came through films including, Yuganthaya, Baddegama, Yahalu Yeheli, Viragaya and Maruthaya.