Ranmihitenna tele-cinema village

Now a reality :

Script and pictures by Channa Bandara Wijekoon

With the initiative of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the first ever Tele- Cinema village in Sri Lanka (Serendib Studio) is gradually taking shape in a 235 acre land in Ranmihitenna in Hambantota District. This national project is a landmark in the history of Sinhala Cinema, since commissioning of the National Film Corporation in 1971. It is also a dream come true for all in the Cinema and Tele drama Field.

The Rs.1500m National Project is monitored by the Mass Media Ministery and Information under the directive of President Rajapaksa.

A group of journalists, film/tele- drama artists and technicians visited the location on an invitation by the ministry.

According to Mass Media Secretary W. B. Ganegala, the project is to be completed in three stages. “One significant factor is the funds for the total project being solely raised by collection of State revenue taxes from films and tele-dramas imported since July 2007.” Ganegala said.

“This money is fully utilized in the project. Estimated cost for phase 1 is Rs.500 million. We have already collected Rs.550 million by way of revenue taxes and Rs. 200 million has been invested in phase 1, which will be completed by end of this year.” he stated. The core objective of Tele- Cinema village (Serendib Studio) would be, to provide intergraded state-of-the-art facilities, along with food and lodging for tele drama / film makers as a “one stop shop” to do their creations to international standards at an affordable cost.

The gigantic sets which are being set up at present would facilitate creators of tele drama / films here and abroad. Seasoned film-maker Dr. D.B.Nihalsinghe and senior artiste Ravindra Randeniya are consultants who spearhead the project with the blessings of Mass Media and Information and Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa and Mass Media Minister Lashman Yapa Abeywardene. Construction of the project is handled by Central Engineering Construction Bureau (CECB).

Renowned art director Errol Kelly, with his colleagues are contributing towards designing sets. Inviting foreign tele- film makers shoot their creations in this location is a long term plan which would generate revenue and bring expertise to the local tele-cine field.

It would provide an opportunity for local artistes and technicians to enhance their knowledge and to update themselves with newest trends in tele-cine world. Randeniya disclosed, Indian collaborations are already in the offing.

“Their main advantage would be the comparatively cheap costs and lesser congestion when doing films and tele- dramas here than in their own country.” He said.

He also stressed that with the completion of all three stages of the project, a tele-film maker would be able to shoot in the backdrop of Colombo or Mumbai city which is created internally.

“Producers have already reserved Serendib studio to shoot three films and two tele-dramas,” said a jubilant Randeniya.

Coastal strips, sacred lands and hill country being in the close proximity, would facilitate producers to minimize their production costs and travelling expenditure.

Experienced film actress cum tele-drama producer Sriyani Amarasena said, “Editing and post production facilities being provided in Serendib Studio would definitely encourage local tele drama/film makers to do their creations here. We must also encourage foreign film makers to do their creations here. “ Producer of the evergreen films Parasathu Mal and Thunmanhandiya; Chithra Balasuriya urged the viewers to look at the venture with a positive frame of mind.

Special effects wiz kid Dinesh Priyasad of Demodara Palama fame said that this is a good initiative to rejuvenate the Sinhala film industry and we should focus on digital cinema in future. He further said, sets created by foreign film makers in this location could be retained by us.

Suggestions were sought by the artists and journalists who were present and one proposal by the team was to commission an archive to preserve films.

Randeniya on behalf of the committee, responded positively to the proposal and said, an archive would be the next mega project. The Tele-Cinema village is scheduled to be completed in December 2011.