Regal echoes with Dolby

Regal Cinema-Colombo, the country's premier Sinhala theatre which is famous for its prestigious circuit releases is to be upgraded with the latest 'Dolby digital sound system'. The new sound system will boost the main releasing theatre of Ceylon Theatres Ltd which is also one of the country's oldest theatres and situated in the heart of Colombo.

A massive Rs. Nine million costing project will enhance the facilities for Sri Lankan producers and directors who yearn to make their directions with the latest sound technology.

The project which is due to be completed by December is undertaken by HIFI Centre, a company that installs latest sound effects equipment.

Mohan Jayasuriya, General Manager of the HIFI Centre said, "DTS or Digital Theatre Sound systems is the advanced technology in cinema. But Dolby sound is a more refined sound system with which filmmakers could use sound creatively with special sound effects,".

This sound system should be installed by a Dolby Digital qualified technician unless the company does not guarantee on its standard. Once the installation is completed, Regal will have a sound system with nearly twenty five JBL speakers including sub-woofers with low and high frequencies.

‘For example there will be three speakers alone for the screen situated at the centre and either sides dedicated to voices and other sounds. In a scene like war and shooting the effective sounds will be generated with the speakers from the two sides and from behind the hall,’ he explained.

Queried about the increase in ticket prices with the upgraded facilities, Thusitha de Alwis, the media coordinator of the CEL said that Rs 150 tickets will be increased to a reasonable Rs. 200 which is still less than that in some of the theatres with similar or lesser sound facilities,".

Following the successful run of 'Uppalawanna', Tanuj Anavaratne's "Nisala Gira" (Silent Honour) will be screened starting from October. The next line ups include Ms. Sumithra Peries' 'Yahaluwo' (Friends), Thushara Peiris' ‘Me Dawasa Mama Prabhakaran" (Prabhakaran) and Prasanna Vithanage's Sri Lanka- Italy joint production 'Handball'.