Shree FM debuts ‘Cinema Wasanthaya’ free fan screenings

Film stars Jackson and Mahendra lighting the traditional oil lamp

Movie audience

‘Pravegaya’ movie stars and Shree FM team

Sri Lanka’s leading Sinhala radio channel Shree FM has revolutionised the local radio industry, by launching free movie screenings for Shree FM fans. Termed ‘Cinema Wasanthaya’, this initiative by Shree FM to popularise the newest Sri Lankan films has also given loyal Shree FM listeners the chance to interact with locally popular movie stars during these screenings. 

In collaboration with E.A.P. Film Theatres, Shree FM launched the first movie premiere on 27 June at Queen’s Cinema in Galle, for the latest box office hit ‘Pravegaya’. The headlining cast of Pravegaya, namely Jackson Anthony, Mahendra Perera, Hemal Ranasinghe, Udari Perera and Damitha Abeyrathne, as well as the movie’s Assistant Director, Donald Jayantha, also attended the premiere, much to the delight of the many Shree FM fans in the cinema’s audience who got to meet them. 

In addition, film buffs also had the opportunity to take pictures with the movie stars before the movie premiere, with these pictures taken home by them as mementos at the end of the movie, which was one of the many highlights of this well-attended and much-hyped premiere event for Pravegaya.

“An initiative of this nature, that helps uplift the movie industry of Sri Lanka, is commendable and truly remarkable as we have been struggling to keep the momentum going for the local film industry. I am truly thankful to Shree FM and E.A.P. Film Theatres for including us in this historic moment for the movie industry of Sri Lanka,” said Anthony. 

He also added that a massive crowd of movie buffs were lined up for the movie premier and it was heartening to see such enthusiasm among the Sri Lankans for their own film industry. 

“Shree FM ‘Cinema Wasanthaya’ free fan screenings for Pravegaya has also taken place on 4 July at Sinexpo Cinema in Kurunegala and will take place on 18 July at Wilmax Cinema in Anuradhapura. Considering the excellent turnout for our first few premieres, we hope to continue to support for the local movie industry, by providing more opportunities for fans to attend local movie premieres, as well as engaging with local actors, and in many other ways, in the future,” commented Shree FM Assistant Program Director Chathura Wijerathne.

Adding to this, EBC Radio Chief Operating Officer Chalaka Gajabahu said, “Our novel ‘Cinema Wasanthaya’ program is yet another way we at Shree FM are not only revolutionising the local radio industry but also helping to attract even more interest for Sri Lanka’s unique film industry. As such, we are proud to be the first and only Sinhala radio channel to take on this exciting new role, which is also a result of our close relationships with Sri Lanka’s most popular film stars.”