Robbery at Dr. Lester's funeral!

Robbery at Dr. Lester's funeral!

Police investigations have been launched in connection with one award from the collection of Dr. Lester James Peries disappearing during moments of his final rites were being conducted when he bade farewell this evening with State honours.

The missing award which had been kept somewhere in close proximity to where his body remained

in the house and the award concerned (Golden Peacock award) incidentally was one of the most valuable awards he had received. This award was bestowed on him at the third New Delhi film festival for his film 'Gamperaliya'.

His dead body was transferred to the National Film Corporation this afternoon for his final rites and was later taken to Independence Square and it is suspected that the said award had been looted during perturbed moments in the house. A large gathering was seen present at his home for Catholic religious observances this morning and this award had been missing from that time; but this was known only later, it is understood. His kith and kin has complained to police and Bambalapitiya police has already taken action on this matter.