TV Times

TV Times

Sri Lankan short film selected for Cannes
Movie'Vide Pour I'amour" (empty for love) by Vimukthi Jayasundara , young film maker now residing in France, was screened at the Cinematheque Francaise, Paris and at the Fresnoy during the exhibition "Panorama S", Paris and has been selected to the 2003 edition of the International Cannes Film Festival.

This is the first time since in 20 years, a Sri Lankan honoured after Dr. James Peiris's 'Kaliyugaya' in 1982. In recognition of Mr.Jayasundara's talent, the jury presided over by Francis Girod selected Mr. Jayasundera to participate at the residency programme organized by the Cine foundation, the organizing parallel to the Cannes Film Festival, which allows six foreign film producers to write a feature film which will be finally screened at Cannes.

Vimukthi's first documentary production "Land of Silence" was screened at the International Festival of Documentary Films in Marseilles in 2002. This film also screened at Jeu de Paume in Paris in November 2002 and it has been selected for 2003 edition of the International Film Festival Rotterdam and for Berlin film festival.

Vimukthi Jayasundera an old boy of Mahinda College, Galle holds a diploma from the Film and Television Institute of India. He has been residing at Lefresnoy Studio Des Art Contemporaries in France since 2001.

YATV's new educational programme

'Akurata Aruthak', a new television programme on Sri Lankan education system started on Rupavahini from Wednesday, 26 February at 10.00pm

"Akurata Aruthak" is a documentary programme which questions whether the educational system in Sri Lanka in an investigative manner, while promoting debate and discussion. "Sankranthiya" is a panel discussion programme where the problems faced by the student population and the means to provide them with an educational system that meets their needs is taken up in a panel discussion.

"Akurata Aruthak" will be telecast at 10.00 p.m. on Wednesdays under the name 'Undergraduates Education - Development Project' under YATV.

The fact that more than 30,000 graduates who have gone through Sri Lanka's University system find themselves unemployable points to a need to revamp our educational system. That some of Sri Lanka's best and brightest find themselves completely unemployed or without employment that meets their educational qualifications due to an outdated educational system is truly tragic. Proposed reforms to the education system however are very controversial - what is urgently needed is for there to be a platform where various parties and individuals can share their concerns and suggestions on this issue.

In response to this need Young Asia Television is launching a multimedia initiative aimed at promoting discussion of the higher education system and its proposed reformation. The initiative will use television, radio and print media together with other innovative approaches to involve all stockholders in this debate.

"Abarthu Atha" is a magazine programme which contains six short stories in each episode and these stories take a look at different fields of employment and the requirements for gaining employment in that particular field, as well as how a university education can help towards finding gainful employment.

It is hoped that the input from professionals, academics, students and people from different walks of life and from all parts of the country, might lead to healthy dialogue on these issues and assist decision makers in creating a more effective higher education system for Sri Lanka.

Watch Rupavahini every Wednesday at 10.00 p.m. or TNL TV every Saturday at 7.25 p.m. to learn more about these issues and be a part of this vital dialogue.

Zimbabwe: Place of virgin beauty
By Sanath Weerasuriya
A few weeks ago I met a man in Yala jungles,while I was trailing the leopard scent. He claimed to be a professional wildlife enthusiast, who has just returned from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

The lodges at the'Enthokozweni Safari' with ethnic design

Hemaka with Heath Streak at his private Game park restaurant

Hemeka Jayasekera is quite sure and is one of the very few people who,believes that Zimbabwe is a safe place for travellers.

Hemaka, a very close associate of Heath Streak, the Captain of Zimbabwe Cricket Team said, Zimbabwe is a safe haven for the nature and wildlife traveller.
'I was in a place call ß Camp', which is a private game range belonging to the 'Streak family'. It is bigger than Yala' he said.

Encounter, the unique African highveld in the South West of Zimbabwe, a convenient 45 minutes north of Bulawayo in the Inyathi area. Enthokozweni Safari Camp is located on top of a kopje, previously inhabited by the legendary Matabele at the turn of the century.

According to Hemaka, this richly historical 4000 acre conservation area, has unspoilt indigenous wilderness with panoramic views - the sunsets here are breathtaking. There is an abundance of wildlife, leopard, plainsgame and numerous species of bird are common due to the cross section of habitats.

' I travelled many miles on foot like I did in Sri Lanka, but of course with a professinal tracker. This is bordering South Africa and Mozambique. Enthokozweni Safari is for adventure, bird shoot, ranch hunt, photographics horse riding, fishing and trekking too.' he said.

"The nature and wildlife conservation in these countries are light years ahead of us. I am surprised to see the professional hunting grounds. According to the authorities in Bulawayo,the controlled hunting is the main feature of conservation. They have to shoot down the excess animals and birds to maintain the growth level of the nature. But the flesh from the hunt is always given to the community for consumption or to the hotels and resorts'. Hemaka explained.

The place is managed by the Streak family. Heath Streak and his father Denis, wife Nadaine and mother Shiona and their sister Leigh-Anne are the host of the property.

' Actually the Streak family didn't have any problems with Mugabe's new policy .They were given a free hand to do the development of the area. ' Hemaka said Hemaka and Heath are good friends and they used to go out fishing, trekking and safaries,while Heath was in Sri Lanka for the matches.

'But this is the very first time I was in Zimbabwe. It was a wildlife museum. Nature at its best. 'Hemaka said.

The lodges at the'Enthokozweni Safari' are of ethnic design and are built in rock an untouched effect in amongst the granite rock. There are five lodges in all.

The Ingwe (national word for leopard) is a communal lounge/dining room area which is centrally located and overlooks the lake. Staffed in the traditional safari manner, the kitchen provides with cuisine.

"The Bhalbhala (word for Kudu ) and the Thendele (Guinea Fowl) are both famous lodges with ensuite bathrooms and toilets.

The Impala lodge caters for larger families or sporting groups and can accommodate up to 100 people and has a separate ablution area situated closeby." he said

The Dube (Zebra) lodge is smaller and caters for a couple in each of its 2 rooms - it has a separate bathroom and shower.

The Ubalu is the luxury cottage with two bedrooms, the main, having on ensuite bathroom/toilet.

"A varied number of activities are offered to suit all tastes. Guided game drives and hiking trails, pony trails, fishing, bird watching and camping. are available at theis place."

According to Hemaka, the trips to some of the natural and historic locations around Bulawayo are fantastic.- they are the Khami Ruins and Shangani Memorial depicting the Ndebele history, the amazing topography and wildlife of the Matobo Hills where black and white rhino can be seen, the unique Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage, and finally the National Natural History Museum in Bulawayo which is renowned to be the best in South Africa. "Trips to Hwange National Park, Victoria Falls, Kariba, Great Zimbabwe and the eastern Highlands are unforgettable in my life " he explained.

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