A State funeral is scheduled to be held today (21) fat the Independence Square in Colombo-07 for the first professional female Cinema director of the Sinhala cinema Dr.Sumithra Pieris who had passed away last Thursday (19) morning whilst receiving treatment in Hospital .She is 88 years old at the time of her death .
Dr.pieris who had married to the pioneer Director in Sinhala Cinema the late Dr.Lester James Pieris recognized internationally as the father of Sinhala cinema had created 10 artistic films and worked as the Director ,Producer ,Screen writer and Editor of those films .Her remains are lied at her sister's residence in Gowers street ,Colombo 05 for public to pay last respect .