Sri Lanka's Tamil film industry to be resurrected

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's Tamil film industry is to be revitalized by encouraging producers to make Tamil films with the participation of local artistes. The National Film Corporation has devised a working plan to create awareness on the importance of improving the Tamil cinema in Sri Lanka and bring forth hidden local talents as well.

Action has been taken to arrange meetings with local Tamil cinema artistes and producers to discuss ways and means to resurrect the industry, A senior official of the National Film Corporation said. Action has been taken to prepare Tamil artistes album for the first time in the history of Sri Lankan cinema, he said.

The corporation will organize monthly cinema seminars focusing special attention on Tamil films and film societies will also be setup at divisional secretarial and school levels to create awareness on the importance of preserving the country's cultural heritage. The Tamil division of the national film corporation conducts weekly one-hour radio programme titled "THIRATTHTHENDRUL" over the Sri Lanka broadcasting corporation.

Tamil films and a short films script bank has already been established as a major step towards extending assistance and encouraging the production of Tamil films in Sri Lanka. The corporation also plans to conduct a Sri Lankan Tamil cine film festival and weekly television programme over channel eye of Rupavahini.

The Tamil division is also planning to organise a children's film festival in connection with the children's year declared by President Mahinda Rajapakse.

Lanka Puvath