Lester’s award stolen from funeral : Citizens outraged

Citizens have been expressing their outrage over the recent theft of the ‘Golden Peacock Award’ won by the late Dr Lester James Peiris in 1965 from his residence during his last rites.

Many voicing their anger on social media said it is an insult to the film veteran while others questioned the current depraved state of the country. 

The medal has been missing since last afternoon. 
 
However, according to public figure and close family friend of Lester James Peiris, Kumar de Silva has revealed that the stolen medal is a replica of the original as the original was lost years ago.  “But that is robbery too,” he said posting on social media. 
 
Dr Lester James Peiris had received the medal when “Gamperaliya” ( Village Upheaval ) won the Golden Peacock Award for the best feature film at the third New Delhi film festival in 1965. This was the first time a Sinhala film had won an international award. 
 
Police investigations are continuing in this regard.