Sri Lankan movie “Gehenu Lamai” screened at Cannes Film Festival

The Sri Lankan movie “Gehenu Lamai” (1978) restored by Film Heritage Foundation in association with the Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation, was screened at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival 2025.

The premiere was graced by the presence of its lead stars, Wasanthi Chathurani, Ajith Jinadasa and Shyama Ananda, and the family of the late Mrs Peries.

The film has been restored under the aegis of FISCH: France- India – Sri Lanka Cine Heritage – Saving Film Across Borders – a pioneering international collaboration between Film Heritage Foundation, the Embassy of France and the French Institute in India and the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, dedicated to restoring and preserving cinematic heritage.

Sumitra Peries debut film, awarded Outstanding Film of the Year at the 1978 London Film Festival, tells the story of two young sisters in a Sri Lankan village whose romantic dreams and aspirations are crushed by the class barrier and the conflict between tradition and progress.

Restored by Film Heritage Foundation at L’Immagine Ritrovata laboratory in association with the Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation.