Leticia Peiris's funeral without artistes

Why were no actors - actresses present
at film actress Leticia's funeral?

Leticia Pieris, film and tele-actress was a last link of the beginning period of the Sinhala cinema passed away at the age of 80 last week. The media too announced her death in some form or the other. She acted in old films such as Hadisi Vinischaya and Kathuru Muwath and also in recently telecast tele-dramas Asalwesiyo and Nonawaruni Mahathwaruni.

Though there are hundreds of actors - actresses and artistes who acted with her and associated with her in the related field, it is rather pathetic to note that not one of them had attended her funeral. Though a number of organisations exist on behalf of the Sri Lankan cinema, it is really unfortunate that none of them had come forward to attend the occasion. It is a question as why popular artistes who make funeral orations and even struggle to be in the limelight by even placing their hands on the casket, appears to have been lazy to be present at Raddoluwa, Ja-Ela for Leticia's funeral. How did artistes who act, gaining attention of the media, getting up from their seats when bestowing the award given once in a lifetime to her, happen to forget her?

There was no lack in funeral decorations where relatives and neighbours were concerned. There were a number of banners hanging in front of her house and among them was just 1 banner to represent the Sinhala Cinema. It was a banner fixed by a representative of Cinesta Foundation. Leticia's daughter Shanali de Silva says with much sorrow that except for a floral tribute of the Cultural Ministry, wreaths by the Hon.President expressing his sorrow, there were no other contribution by any actor or actress expressing his or her sympathy.

She told us her feelings over the phone in this manner: "A gentleman who came from the Film Corporation placed a wreath of flowers and told me to send a copy of the death certificate to the Corporation. It may be for some necessity. Apart from that no other artiste connected to the cinema ever came here. Not only us ... even those in our town here are surprised about it . It is said that there are organisations for artistes. Whatever organisations there are ... what's the use of them if they can't even attend a funeral of a senior film artiste like her? Now mother has died and her funeral rites are over .... I don't have ill-feelings ... but what I fear is whether the same fate will befall other artistes also!" She kept the receiver down, weeping.