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Minister assures streamlined programme for local film industry

Minister of Human Resources, Education and Cultural Affairs Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku yesterday promised to implement a streamlined programme to solve the present crisis in the local film industry.

The Minister gave this assurance at a meeting with emerging film director Priyantha Colombage whose withdrawal of his latest film Arumosam Wehi from screening, created an uproar in cinema circles. Colombage charged that some unscrupulous groups had wanted their own X-rated movies screened, replacing his film.

"At the meeting, the Minister promised to implement a special programme especially with regard to the distribution and screening of films, Colombage told the Daily News.

Colombage alleged that he was forced to withdraw his film due to the activities of some unscrupulous groups.

"I had to withdraw the film within several days of commencing public screening. It is generally acknowledged that it takes at least two weeks to "pick-up" this kind of family movies at cinemas. Earlier, the Corporation had a rule which allows two weeks for a film to determine its success", Colombage said.

Meanwhile, Colombage has written a letter to the Prime Minister requesting him to pay attention to safeguard the local film industry.

In his letter, Colombage had stressed that it is only classical or art movies that are earning international fame as well as finance for Sri Lanka whereas those commercial and sex films do not have any kind of demand at the international level.

"A number of Sri Lankan directors have already given up creating new films as they are unable to face the influences coming from those organised groups. Therefore, appropriate measures have to be taken even at this stage to safeguard the local film industry".

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