Teledrama violating Act -Prof Fonseka

National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) Chairman Prof. Carlo Fonseka said certain episodes in the teledrama Alupaata Heena aired over Swarnavahini appears to violate section 35 of NATA Act.

Prof. Fonseka in a release said, as NATA Chairman he has received several communications about the teledrama Alupaata Heena aired on Swarnavahini.

He said: "I have been given to understand that certain episodes of this teledrama contain scenes which appear to violate Section 35 of the NATA Act. An example contained in the episode aired on February 4,2010 commencing at 9 pm is a scene where a clear attempt is made to create the impression that nowadays it is a normal thing for girls to smoke cigarettes.

Considering the well-known physical, mental, social and economic harms caused by tobacco, you will agree that the message of the scene is a highly undesirable one to communicate to young people who watch the teledrama.

In a letter to EAP Network Chairman, Prof. Fonseka has cautioned the company that some programs and advertisements aired on Swarnavahini appear to violate the NATA Act.

If such material continues to be aired, Swarnavahini will become liable for prosecution under the NATA Act," he said.