Vimukthi's award aptly demonstrates inborn skills, abilities among local film makers - Prime Minister

PRIME MINISTER Mahinda Rajapakse in a congratulatory message sent to Vimukthi Jayasundera who won the Camera D'or Award for his debut film Sulanga Enu Pinisa at the Cannes International Film Festival, said Vimukthi's achievement had caused him immense joy and pride.

The Prime Minister said the award received by Vimukthi occupied a very high and significant place among the handful of international awards won by the Sri Lankan cinema during its history of over a half century.

The message said: "Your ability to win this award jointly with a production of an American producer after a stiff competition among a host of other International Producers aptly demonstrates the inborn skills and abilities available among young film makers in our tiny island.

"Your being the third South Asian Film Director to bag this coveted award makes your achievement doubly significant."

The message said it was no secret that Sri Lanka did not occupy any significant place in the context of the International Cinema and the Film Industry. Local film makers were lacking the ultra modern equipment and other facilities available to their counterparts in countries having a develop and modern film industry.

The ability of our local film makers to outdo their counterparts in developed countries despite these constraints and handicaps was itself a magnificent achievement.

"While congratulating you on this achievement I wish to convey my thanks and warm greetings to the actors, actresses and other film artistes who helped you to bring this honour and accolade to our mother country with your film Sulanga Enu Pinisa.

"May you gain all the courage and strength to make use of your intuition to bring more international awards and prestige to the Sri Lankan Cinema," the Prime Minister's message said.