Govt to amend Film corp Act

Rasika SOMARATHNA

The Government intends to amend the existing National Film Corporation Act introduced in 1971 to facilitate the healthy growth of the cinema industry in Sri Lanka in accordance with the changing needs.

Mass Media and Communications Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who's recommendation in this regard was approved by Cabinet told the press yesterday about the need to amend the out-dated Act, taking into consideration the ever changing landscape of the cinema industry.

He said at the time of the introduction of the Act, new innovations such as the television had not existed.

The Government observed that there has been continuous deterioration of the local Cinema industry since 1979, Rambukwella added.

Taking into consideration the above, the Cabinet granted approval to appoint a Panel of Experts to examine the provisions of the existing National Film Corporation Act and to propose amendments deemed necessary, he observed. The Panel will consist of Kumar Abeysinghe as Chairman and include Dr D B Nihalsinghe, Nihal Jayewardena, Somaratne Dissanayake and Sumithra Peiris as members.

The State Film Corporation Act No.47 of 1971 was enacted by the then Government to minimize the domination of Foreign Films and the resultant impact on the domestic Cinema in the country.