He was born on 25 December 1942 in coastal village Wedikanda in Ratmalana, Sri Lanka. His father Raigama Bulathsinhalage Martin Perera was a dedicated socialist. His mother Senarath Godage Jane Nona was a housewife. He has three brothers and two sisters. He went to Dharmaloka College in Ratmalana for primary education. Then he attended to Dehiwala Central College for secondary education and passed the A/L examination in 1963. Later he graduated from University of Peradeniya. At that time, he passed the clerical examination and took over as the only clerk at the Ambewela Government Farm.

 

He was married to fellow actress Anula Mendis. Lucien met her when he went to act in Ranjith Tilakaratne's play Konthare. Anula made acting debut in 1967 with the stage play Ledak Nathi Ledek produced by R. R. Samarakoon. Then she appeared in several critically acclaimed stage plays such as Tharavo Igilethi, Rathu Hattakari, Madhura Jawanika, Kuveni, Mahasara in which some were made by Lucien himself. She died on 16 October 2020 at the age of 73. The couple has one daughter Indrachapa (born 1970) and one son Harsha (born 1971). Harsha is also an actor, singer and musician who acted in several popular television serials.