Restrictions soon on low quality teledramas and songs

Once Public Performances Board Amendment Act is approved by Parliament:

Restrictions will be placed on low quality teledramas and songs when the new Public Performances Board Amendment Act is approved by Parliament shortly.

The Public Performances Board Act of 1952 was first amended in 1980. Although the quality of films and stage plays came under its purview, it did not include teledramas, since television had not been introduced in Sri Lanka by then, said the Culture and the Arts Ministry in a release yesterday.

Teledrama producers resorted to self-regulation with the advent of television, and made quality productions in the early stages, but later due to the influence of commercialism, a surfeit of low quality teledramas invaded the screen, the release said.

The release said a large number of sub standard teledramas are being screened today as a result and the ministry has no legal powers to intervene in this matter.

Culture and the Arts Minister T B Ekanayake decided to amend the Public Performances Board Act in an effort to introduce quality teledramas and musical art for the benefit of viewers and listeners, the release said.

Once the amended act comes into operation, prior approval should be obtained from the Public Performance Board for the creation of teledramas and songs, it said.

"Thereafter, no radio or television channel will be allowed to telecast or broadcast a teledrama or song unless their copies have been approved by the Public Performances Board," the release said.

In the case of a teledrama, the original copy should be submitted for PPB approval. When such copy is submitted, the PPB will grade it into A,B or C grades. After producing the teledrama, it should be submitted to the PPB once again for its approval. Once such approval is granted, the teledrama can be submitted to television channels with the PPB certificate, the release said.

In the case of songs, the lyrics should be first submitted to the PPB. Then after mixing it with music, the song should be submitted to the PPB once again to decide on its suitability. Once PPB approval is granted, the song can be given for release.