| The maiden fund raiser
for the magnanimous
goodwill gift by artistes
of the South to the North,
Jaffna Arts Centre, a fullyfledged
complex for cinema,
theatre and other cultural
events will begin with a day’s
collection at all the cinema
halls around the country.
A timely move to build a
bridge of cultural ties between
artistes of South and the North
launched by the internationally
acclaimed actress Malani
Fonseka, cinema owners island
wide have taken the initiative
by donating the entire collection
of the cinemas island wide
on March 22.
JAC, a multi-faceted complex
with facilities for film screening,
stage dramas, convention
and reception halls, open-air
theatre, recreation and accommodation
facilities and a centre
for all cultural activities in.
Jaffna is to be a true symbol of
brotherhood and friendship
between the North and South.
Film lovers around the country
are invited to be a part of
this effort by going to their theatres
and watching a movie. “For a period spanning a history
of 62 years we did not have
any difference as racial, religious
or what so ever.
While
Gardiner, Sellamuththu and
Gunaratnum were the pioneers
of the Sri Lankan film industry,
Lenin Moraes, Wamadewan,
Anand, Shiva and Anton
Gregory, Balasingham, S. P.
Saami and Selvaratnum were
some of the contemporaries we
worked with as brothers of one
family,” veteran actress Malani
Fonseka said recollecting the
golden memories of the history
of the cinema industry.
“And at least once in three
months we used to go to Jaffna
for film shooting but unfortunately
for over the last
twenty five years we were separated
from our brothers and sisters
from the North,” she said. “Having ended an unfortunate
era of war now all barriers
are broken, for us to get back to
the North bringing gifts of love.
And that is why we filmmakers,
exhibiters, technicians, singers,
artistes from cinema, theater
and television came together
to make this building, a symbol
of love and brotherhood”
Malani said describing her
plan.
A series of fund raising
projects including the popular
dancing show ‘Ridi Reyak’ by
cinema and television artistes
and ‘Cine Oska’ musical show
by Sri Lankan singers are
underway way to make the
dream of the Jaffna Arts
Centre, a reality.
To build the centre the government
has agreed to give a
plot of land while the National
Film Corporation and some
government institutions too
have come forward to provide
their fullest corporation.
“As sensitive artistes we are
of the view that the time is
inopportune for us to delve
deep to find who’s at fault and
what made this happen and reopen
wounds that have begun to
heal. And that is why we,
representing all different
forms of art, are
determined to commit
ourselves totally to the
immense task of
rebuilding the bonds
of love, trust and
understanding that we
have always had with
our Tamil brethren,”
actor Ravindra
Randeniya said.
The Chairman of
the National Film Corporation,
Jayantha Dharmadasa expressing
his view said, “The main
objective of the Jaffna Arts
Centre will be to develop the
artistic skills of the people in
the North and to develop their
affinity to the people in the
South,” expressed their willingness
to give their fullest corporation. |
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