Fruitful meeting to upgrade our cinema

Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa who is the new minister in charge of films, recently held a successful meeting with all the main stakeholders of the cinema industry in a bid to upgrade and resolve several issues that have hindered the progress of our local film industry, a senior film industry personnel told Daily Mirror Life Impulse.

“We had a fruitful meeting with Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa together with all stakeholders of our cinema industry. As the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Film Exhibitors Association, I am so happy that the minister found time to sit and discuss the matter with film exhibitors, producers, film distributors, directors, importers, artistes and others,” said association chairman Dr. Buddhi Keerthisena.

“The talks centered on how well we could uplift and boost our local cinema industry. Minister Premadasa agreed to consider all factors discussed at the meeting and draft a Cabinet paper in a bid to iron out all differences existed in the past. The minister also promised to restore the tax concessions given to the film industry, look into issues faced by film producers and focus on setting up new theatres while doing away with the Nilaweera Committee report. As we too requested all these years, the minister agreed to implement the Film Corporation Act and bring in new regulations. It was also discussed to liberalise film distribution, film imports and supply.  Overall, it was a very positive meeting.  

As the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Film Exhibitors Association, I am so happy that the minister found time to sit and discuss the matter with all stakeholders 

We were promised a two-day comprehensive workshop next week to discuss all issues to help draft the Cabinet paper. 

We are thankful to the minister and also the National Film Corporation Chairman for devoting their valuable time with us for a worthy cause on behalf of a our local film industry. We firmly believe and have confidence that this endeavour would result in success,

” Dr. Keerthisena said.

text: Ramesh Uvais