MR promotes a “Cinema Village” for artists

(February 19, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) “President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed the Film Corporation Chairman Jayantha Dharmadasa and other relevant officials to construct a housing complex with all modern facilities for artists”, according to government official press statement released by Government Information Department.

At a special meeting with the artistes at Temple Trees yesterday (February 18) President instructed Film Corporation Chairman and other officials to select a suitable land and commence construction at the earliest.

Accordingly, the construction work will begin as soon as possible on a two acre land belonging to the Urban Development Authority (UDA) in Depanama, Pannipitiya. The coordination of the UDA and the Film Corporation for the success of this great venture, had also come-up for discussion.

President Rajapaksa said that this decision to construct a housing scheme for the artistes was taken to express his gratitude to the artists following their yeoman services rendered in the rejuvenation of the indigenous film industry, it added.

The establishment of a 'Cinema Village', a National Fund for Artistes and the quarterly payments scheme for the Artistes' creations by the relevant institutions, are some of the other measures undertaken in the wide spectrum of the Mahinda Chintanaya, for the betterment of the artists.

Film Star Ravindra Randeniya who also expressed his views at the discussions, lauded President Rajapaksa on his firm commitment to uplift the living standards and welfare of the cinema artists and the film industry in general.