Meanwhile a number of teledrama artistes have condemned the sudden removal of the massive cut out of 'Karuwala Gedara' that was erected at Borella junction by ITN channel subsequent to the meeting by Tele Makers Guild (TMG) with President Mahinda Rajapaksa against the Mega teledrama. The teledrama is directed by Sudath Roahan who is also the present president of the TMG and it is being telecast over ITN channel, the only state-run channel that telecast mega teledramas.

Kaluwara Gedara cut out

Karuwala Gedara is based on the novel by the same title written by Martin Wickremasinghe, one of the greatest writers and intellectuals in Sri Lanka. "This is not a disgrace to director and artistes involved but to the novelist Wickremasinghe himself," said, Sudath Rohana speaking about the alleged act.
It is strange 'Kaluwara Gedara' cutout being removed while the teledrama is not over, an artiste in the teledrama said.

" However ITN, one of the two state-run television channels had maintained quality and standard teledramas under the leadership of present chairman, Anura Siriwardena at the beginning but unfortunately the channel has now has fallen prey to money motivated business disregarding its service to the audience," the artiste complained.

When contacted by the TV Times, Deputy General Manager- Programme, ITN, Vipula Rathanasiri said that the removal of the cutout of 'Kaluwara Gedara' was not intended to attack anybody personally but to give the same publicity to another teledrama.

"We are always supportive of teledrama artiste and think about the development of the industry" he added. "Our intention is to promote quality teledramas and become the number one among the other channels. And we spend a lot of money for the publicity and promotions of the teledramas which in return a promotion to individual directors and artistes.

And ITN being a state-run channel we don't want to become a financial burden to the government or the Treasury," Mr. Ratnasiri said. He further said that the removal of the cutout was a decision by the programme planning committee of the channel to give publicity to other programmes as well.

"To give more opportunities to the teledrama makers we are planning to start four teledrama belts daily," he said revealing about the future plans of the channel.