Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation 2018 Award for Sumitra

The Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation was awarded to Kala Keerthi Sumitra Peries by Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka Akira Sugiyama, at a special ceremony held on 24 January 2019 at the Ambassador’s residence in Colombo.

Sumitra Peries, a pioneer female film director and one of the most successful artists in Sri Lanka, was appointed as a Committee member of the Japan Sri Lanka Friendship Cultural Fund Awards in 1992. Since the establishment of the Japan Sri Lanka Friendship Cultural Fund Awards (Bunka Awards) in 1993, she has been participating in almost every Committee meeting and always provided constructive opinions on how the Cultural Fund should be managed, based on her broad knowledge on art. Her contribution to the Committee has enabled the Cultural Fund Awards to maintain and develop its reputation as one of the most distinguished cultural awards in Sri Lanka, while keeping in line with the current cultural environment. 

The Bunka Awards are one of the most prestigious awards in Sri Lanka, and aim to encourage and promote Sri Lankan artists with remarkable talents. The Bunka Awards are presented annually by the Fund and have helped many rising artists to develop their talents further. The tremendous and long-sustained dedication by Peries for the development of Japan-Sri Lanka Friendship Cultural Fund Awards is highly commendable.

The Foreign Minister’s Commendations are awarded to individuals and groups for their outstanding achievements in the international field to acknowledge their contributions to the promotion of friendship between Japan and foreign countries.