[1][2][3] Considered as the father of Sri Lankan cinema,[4] Lester worked as a filmmaker from 1949 to 2006, and was involved in over 28 films, including shorts and documentaries.

He received critical acclaim for directing Rekava, Gamperaliya, Nidhanaya, Golu Hadawatha, Kaliyugaya, Awaragira and Yuganthaya.

[5] Peries' films often deal with Sri Lankan family life in rural settings and conflicted characters.

He attended St Peter's College, one of the Catholic schools in Colombo, as a teenager before dropping out to pursue a career in journalism at the age of 17.

In addition, Peries' passion for the cinema was developing and he met another Sri Lankan with similar interests, Hereward Jansz.

[6] In 1952, the editor John Hockin told Peries of an interesting assignment he had for him – an interview with the new head of the Government Film Unit of Ceylon.

He also directed Conquest in the Dry Zone, a documentary on controlling malaria and Be Safe or Be Sorry, a witty study on errant motorists.

In 1956, Peries made his entry into national cinema with the globally acclaimed Rekava, which was a story based on village life.

[8] Peries met his wife, Sumitra, who is also a film director, in Paris at the home of a mutual friend and married in 1964 at All Saints Church in Borella.

To promote, improve, develop, provide financial assistance and maintain academic, scientific, cultural, literary, artistic and physical abilities and aptitudes; 4.

To promote, propagate and foster humanitarian ideals, democratic and pluralistic values, good citizenship, patriotic concepts and beliefs; 5.

To preserve and promote all cinematographic and any other creations of Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries made by them including scripts, manuscripts, books, letters, articles, poems, photographs, audio cassettes, VHS cassettes, CDs, VCDs, DVDs, MP3s and any other audio devices, visual devices and media; 8.

To grant prizes, rewards, awards or scholarship to develop, promote and encourage creative talents in general or in particular fields; 11.

To organize, conduct and participate in seminars, meetings, workshops, discussions, talks, classes, films, film shows, demonstrations, sports, and recreational activities, and to write, print and publish books, periodicals, magazines, articles and newspapers, in furtherance of the objectives herein specified and specifically in all areas of educational activity; 12.

The Foundation operates from Peries' residence and is involved in organizing many events annually to promote the film industry of the past and present in Sri Lanka.

Also on the board of directors serves Ms. Yashodha Wimaladharma, Mr. Sameera Manabharana Randeniya, Mr. Yasoja Gunawardena and Mr. Nuran Gomez.