Dr. Arosha Fernando and Sadesh Kumar appointed to board of MPI film circuit

Wednesday, 28 February 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

In an unprecedented move, former Working Director of ITN, former Senior Consultant of Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRC-SL) and well-known film producer Dr. Arosha Fernando, who has been recognised for producing the highest number of films in recent times - 16 films within a short span of 4 years including the Movie EKA DAWASAKA API, currently being screened in the CEL film circuit - along with the high budget film producer who produced the popular films Super Six, Pravegaya and Maya, R. Sadesh Kumar, has acquired shares of one of the five film circuits in Sri Lanka, Movie Producers & Importers Company Limited also known as MPI film circuit at an undisclosed price, and have subsequently been appointed to the Board of Directors.

It is a historical move as this is the first time in history that the ownership of a film circuit has been purchased by a new party since the establishment of the five film circuits in Sri Lanka in 2002.

MPI film circuit has a total of 34 film theatres, including both Sinhala Tamil centres, spread across the country, including the North & East. It is one of the largest film circuits in Sri Lanka, after the state-owned Rithma film circuit, which comes under the National Film Corporation with 57 theatres.

MPI is licensed to produce, distribute and screen Sinhala films as well as import, distribute and screen Tamil, Hindi and English films.

Responding to the questions raised regarding the new acquisition, Dr. Fernando said: “We know that once developed, any film circuit can be a lucrative business and we are endeavouring to work closely with the other board directors to make a solid plan to develop MPI to a different height by the end of the year.”