FDI of Rs. 850 m to set up 60 modern theatres around Sri Lanka

Thursday, 27 March 2014 01:37 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A leading movie producing company, Senith Neathan Media Production Ltd., will go for a joint collaboration with a Singapore-based firm to set up 60 modern theatres in 30 strategic locations in the country. “At present discussions are ongoing and they expect to invest more than Rs. 850 million for the total project. All proposed theatres will be up to international standards and will come up in strategic locations in the country,” Senith Neathan Media Production Chairman Dr. Arosha Fernando told the Daily FT.

He said the Sri Lankan film industry has great potential to develop as a viable commercial industry with the number of existing 150 cinema halls being not up to the standard, with the exception of a few. “The time is opportune to improve and upgrade the existing cinema halls to promote the sector as a lucrative industry. The entertainment industry has a big potential if the local producers produce high quality movies to the international market,” Dr. Fernando said. Since the local film and entertainment industry has a lot of potential to penetrate into the international market provided our producers make creative movies to the market. But unfortunately most of our local producers are unaware to enter the international market, Dr. Fernando said. Dr. Fernando has produced and released three films during the past two years. Anithya, the maiden movie production of Dr. Fernando, was released in March last year, followed by ‘Igilenna Ai Dagalanney’ in July last year. His ongoing film, ‘Rupantharana,’ which is now running on screen, is expected to be screened in a highest number of countries, he said. The film ‘Rupantharana’ will be internationally released in Melbourne, Australia on 4th May followed by screening in Sydeny, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth in Australia. Afterwards it is scheduled to be screened in Auckland in New Zealand and Singapore in the same month. Dr. Fernando as the Producer along with the Film Director Nalaka Withanage and veteran artist turn politician Ranjan Ramanayaka will participate in this tour. In July and August the film will be screened in the Middle East, Europe and the USA and is expected to be screened in 15 countries altogether, Dr. Fernando said. Dr. Fernando is currently producing a further four films which are in different stages of pre- and post-production and expected to be released during the next two years. This includes Upali Gamlath directed ‘Guru Geethaya’ based on the world famous novel ‘First Teacher’ written by Chyngyz Aitmatov, a detective story directed by Nalaka Withanage ‘Agnee Warsha,’ and a commercial movie ‘Ashaway Maya’ directed by actor turned director Arjuna Kamalanath. Dr. Fernando added that local producers must collaborate with foreign film producers to promote the sector at an international level, which will bring foreign exchange into the country. Since we have a good opportunity in the international market, one has to make sure that those films are screed in the right circuit and make sure that those films remain till the actual date, he concluded.