In a landmark achievement for Sri Lankan cinema, the 1978 film Gehenu Lamai, directed by the late Dr. Sumitra Peries, will be screened at the Cannes Film Festival 2025 under the Cannes Classics category. The festival, running from May 13 to 24 in Cannes, France, celebrates restored cinematic treasures from around the world.
Gehenu Lamai (Girls), a teenage drama film in Sinhala, was directed by Sumitra Peries and produced by her husband, Lester James Peries, under Lester Films. This emotionally resonant work is widely regarded as a milestone in Sri Lankan cinema, particularly for its portrayal of female adolescence and social constraints.
A Celebration of Cinematic Legacy
The film’s restoration was spearheaded by the Film Heritage Foundation, in collaboration with the Dr. Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation, and funded by the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and the Embassy of France in India. This initiative forms part of FISCH (France–India–Sri Lanka Cine Heritage), an international effort to preserve and restore South Asian film heritage.
Sumitra Peries (1934–2023), celebrated as Sri Lanka’s first female filmmaker, directed over a dozen influential films during her career. She was also a screenwriter, producer, and film editor, and served as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to France in the 1990s. In recognition of her contributions to the arts, the French Government honored her with the title of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters.
Global Recognition for Sri Lankan Cinema
The Cannes Classics section highlights cinematic masterpieces from around the world, restored to their original glory. The world premiere of Gehenu Lamai at Cannes not only celebrates Sumitra Peries’ legacy, but also marks a significant milestone in the global recognition of Sri Lanka’s film heritage.
This selection reinforces the importance of cross-border cultural collaborations in safeguarding the region’s film history and offers a renewed global platform for Sri Lankan storytelling.
