Ceylon Chamber of Cinema unites all in cinema
Buddhi Keerthisena
Ceylon Chamber of Cinema, an all sector united body was formed last week to develop, promote and uplift Sri Lankan cinema. Representatives from film directors, producers, stars, technical teams, exhibitors and importers came under one umbrella to find ways to promote cinema.
Filmmaker, producer and exhibitor Buddhi Keerthisena the organiser for the movement said that there is an urgent need to form an all-sector body to speak on behalf country’s cinema. Mr. Keerthisena who is also the outgoing President of Film Exhibitor’s Association (FEA) said that the group is planning a meeting with the President and the Prime Minister to discuss about the challenges faced by cinema and its partners.
“There is no organised system to look into the issues faced by cinema. The cinema receives step motherly treatment every time when there is an issue. Following COVID-19 pandemic, there are opening for various sectors with guidelines but there is not a word about opening of cinema,” he complained. “The film stars are usually well-recognised and powerful in the society but there is no united organisation for them,”.
“All sectors of cinema had not been organised and therefore recently we decided to form a united body. When decisions are made on cinema we need to have producers, directors, artistes, exhibitors, importers and even others who are connected to cinema” Mr. Keerthisena said.
“Cinema is an industry, art form and a business and it is important that we protect it and develop”, Keerthisena said.
Among the participants who took part at the recent meeting were film producer H. D. Premasiri, director Somaratha Dissanayake, producers and actresses Nita Fernando and Sriyani Amerasena, Imthiaz Cader, Kusan Ranawana, Lucky Dias, Praveen David, Sunil T. Fernando, Nishantha Pradeep Hettige, cinematographer Channa Deshapriya and editor Ravindra Guruge covering all sectors of cinema.
Former Secretary of the FEA, Nishantha Pradeep Hettige is the convenor of the Ceylon Chamber of Cinema.
