The Ceremony of Conferment of ‘The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays” on Kala Keerthi Mrs. Sumitra Peries

Kala Keerthi Mrs. Sumitra Peries,
Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Speaker of the Parliament
Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, Minister of Foreign Relations of Sri Lanka
Beloved family members,
Distinguished Guest,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Good afternoon, Ayubowan, Wannakkam, Konnichiwa.
 
　　　　First of all, I would like to warmly welcome you all to the ceremony to confer “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays”, on a long standing and dear friend of Japan,  Kala Keerthi Mrs. Sumitra Peries this afternoon.
 
　　　　Known as the Poetess of Sri Lankan Cinema and Sri Lanka’s first female Film Director, Mrs. Sumitra Peries requires no introduction as her manifold accomplishments speak volumes. Despite many challenges that stood in her way, Mrs. Peries broke the new ground in the field of film making in Sri Lanka, in which she has imbued the subtlety and tenderness of female sensitivity long revered not only in Sri Lanka but beyond, Japan most certainly, as well.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
　　　　Mrs. Peries’s strong affinity towards Japan blossomed from the very inception when she was introduced to the icon of Japanese silver screen, a world renowned film director, Mr. KUROSAWA Akira, with whom,  to my great honour, I share my given name. This Japanese legend created innovative cinematography, such as the use of axial cuts and wide screen, or screen wipes and long take, which had influenced many of his contemporaries at the time. Mrs. Peries was inspired by Mr. KUROSAWA in search of new visual experience.
 
　　　　“Sagara Jalaya” -admittedly Mrs. Peries’s magnum opus- is a culmination of her unparalleled passion for creativity encapsulating a sense of unpredictability through the intermingling of beauty and pathos, love and hatred, or reconciliation and vengeance -which consititute the core essence of catharsis- beautifully balanced by Mrs. Peries’s profound intimacy with human emotions.  “Sagara Jalaya” won the hearts of many at home and abroad, highly recognized at the International Film Festival in Tokyo, and was eventually telecasted by NHK in 1990.  Similarly, many of her other films, such as “Loku Duwa” and “Duwata Mawaka Missa”,  which received wide acclamation at the Fukuoka International Film Festival in 1994, portrayed a female perspective of Sri Lankan women which, again, was attained most delicately with Mrs. Peries’s sensitive touch.
 
　　　　With many accolades to her credit, Mrs. Peries is also a distinguished committee member of “Sri Lanka-Japan Friendship Cultural Fund” where she has dedicated her whole-hearted efforts in bringing the two cultures closer over the past three decades. Her high reputation both within and without Sri Lanka has helped elevate “Bunka Award” as one of the most distinguished cultural awards in Sri Lanka, while awardees, thus recognized, are now leading the vibrant cultural scene of Sri Lanka far and wide. Both by way of the agency of cinema and Bunka Award, among many other credits, Mrs. Peries has made remarkable contribution to reinforcing the enduring friendship between  Sri Lanka and Japan through uplifting the talents of the next generations.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
　　　　Whereas I have merely touched upon the tip of the iceberg in terms of Mrs. Peries’s great accomplishments and contributions,  I am most honoured to announce that the Government of Japan, in deep appreciation, has the privilege of conferring “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays” on Mrs. Sumitra Peries for her genuine commitment, persistence and dedication over the decades to bridge the culture between Sri Lanka and Japan. “The Order of the Rising Sun” is the highest order conferred by the Government of Japan, in the name of His Majesty the Emperor, upon those who have made distinguished achievements in international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, achievements in their respective field, development in welfare or preservation of the environment. Mrs. Peries, with my profound respect and humility, more than merits the noble cause of the spirit embedded in the Order of the Rising Sun.
 
　　　　On this note, may I now please invite Mrs. Sumitra Peries to step forward for the decoration.
 
Thank you for your kind attention.