Cinema owners welcome approval to resume operations

• Assure to strictly adhere to health and safety guidelines
• Multiplex owners call for more clarity on certain guidelines
• Industry to have discussion with Prime Minister, health authorities before reopening

By Charumini de Silva

Cinema owners yesterday welcomed the Government approval to reopen from 27 June, following a three-month closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are extremely pleased with the Government’s decision to reopen the film theatres from this weekend. We had been waiting for approval of finalised guidelines from health authorities to resume operations post COVID-19,” industry stakeholders told the Daily FT.

On 14 March, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa directed all film halls under National Film Corporation (NFC) to suspend screening of films till further notice, as a preventive measure to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The Director General of Health Services issued the necessary guidelines on the request made by Cultural Affairs Ministry Secretary Bandula Harischandra.

There are over 200 cinema halls in the country.

In the absence of revenues for over three months, the owners said the cash flow has completely stopped, resulting in extreme distress, while operating expenses like staff salaries, electricity bills, rent, maintenance charges and other administrative costs are being borne by the industry at present.

However the cinema owners assured to strictly adhere to each of the Government directive, giving topmost priority to the health and well-being of their patrons.

“Already many of the cinema owners have started disinfecting and arranging all precautionary measures outlined by the Health Authorities to resume operations on 27 June,” they pointed out.

Cinemas can be opened only after handing over a declaration of consent completed by the head of administration to the Public Health Inspector (PHI) of its local area and a copy of the same must be furnished to the respective local authorities.

Although they agree on the guidelines issued in general, multiplex owners who have made huge investments were still concerned and call for more clarity.

 “There were certain recommendations which we want more clarity on and hopefully we will have a discussion this week,” they said.

The Daily FT learns that the film industry will have a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa along with top health authorities before resuming operations on Saturday.