President discusses the issues in film industry

A discussion between President Maithripala Sirisena and the members of the Association of the Sinhala Film Artists was held yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat, President Media Unit said.

The discussion was based on the current issues of the film industry in Sri Lanka.The artists who pointed out that the Sinhala film industry has been protected even at a grass root level for more than six decades, due to the state patronage and the encouragement, stated that the government’s assistance is essential to produce a quality film and to screen them.

They also drew the President’s attention about the issues arisen due to contradicting of the relevant policies in governing the screening, importation and distribution of the films.

“Due to these issues there’s no any opportunity to screen valuable cinema productions”, said the film artists requesting the President’s intervention into this matter. They further requested not to give the authority to the private sector to distribute the films but to retain that authority with the Film Corporation.

The Government will not hesitate to take necessary actions to protect the film industry of the country and the artists, the President said requesting the artists to submit their suggestions in writing to him.

Expressing his views regarding excluding the taxes on imported films and Tele-dramas the President emphasized as the Government working in this regard paying their special attention, they will not allow any room to do injustice for local artists.

President Sirisena informed the artists that he will take further steps regarding the film industry of the country after consulting all institutions and organizations of the industry as well as the responsible persons.

Prominent artists including Ravindra Randeniya, Malani Fonseka, Jeevan Kumaratunga, Cletus Mendis, Sriyani Amarasena, Robin Fernando, Sangeetha Weeraratne, Rex Kodippili participated in this event.