Presidential Film Awards Tuesday

by Chanuka Mannapperuma

The National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka (NFC) will present the seventeenth annual Presidential Film Awards Ceremony 2005 and 2006, at the BMICH on Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. with President Mahinda Rajapaksa as chief guest.

Speaking on the significance of the event Chairman, Ashoka Serasighe said "We are holding such an event at a time when the national cinema industry has been granted tax benefits by the present government.

With the tax exemption we are glad to note that there has been plenty of developments in the industry as well as a marked renewal interest in contributions and investments.

This has helped us to further develop the film industry and to promote local talents more to the maximum. The event will be held in collaboration with the Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage, with the National Savings Bank as the main sponsor.

Monetary rewards have also been doubled this year. The ceremony to be held under the theme 'New Cinema for a new Sri Lanka, will also attract a large number of film personalities who have contributed to the welfare of the industry in the past.