Ranmihitenna, a fillip to film industry

By Shirajiv SIRIMANE

The film industry is an area which was virtually ignored by successive political leaders and the present government has given the biggest boost to the industry by constructing the Mahinda Rajapaksa Tele Cinema Village also known as Ranmihitenna in Tissamaharama.

The Ministry of Mass Media is to invest another Rs. 500 million to construct a high tech sound proof studio and introduce other facilities and it is expected to commence next January. "We will be importing modern equipment for this studio," said W.B. Ganegala Secretary Ministry of Mass media.

He said another mini hotel would be built for minor staff who accompany film crews.

First stage

The whole process will be completed in three consecutive stages and the first stage of the project has been completed at a cost of Rs. 600 million. This includes an administration building, accommodation hall with facilities for 96 individuals, a large studio (130 X 70 feet,) 31 sets, two seminar halls, two libraries, three showrooms for costumes, kitchens, workshops, common facilities and the garden decorations.

The cost of the facility housed in over 200 acres is estimated at two billion rupees.

He said no public funds were used to build the Tele village. "The construction was funded by the revenue from the taxes levied on foreign teledramas, films and advertisements imported by local television channels."

"Not only the private media even state media institutions paid tax which today has proved to be very timely," he said.

He said that they are planning to create a site to shoot underwater films and this would be a major breakthrough for the film industry. "The Tele village is a concept of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and it is the biggest investment that had been made on the film industry todate. The special feature of Ranmihitenna Tele-cinema Village is that artists can complete their creations of international standards under one roof but with low production cost. "Due to this the cost of production would drastically come down," he said.

World-class facility

Worldwide Locations Executive, Bill Bowling from USA also visited this site and told the Sunday Observer the facility was world class.

Bowling cited Sri Lanka's "natural beauty" as an advantage for the island, and noted that its rich animal life could attract documentary filmmakers. "I am definitely going to talk about Ranmihitenna in the future and try to shoot some western films here," he said.

Indian films are already planned to be shot here while several Tele dramas and advertisements have been filmed at this location.

In addition to providing more facilities to the public who come in large numbers to visit this Tele village they would also be offered the comfort of travelling in electric cars.

"This is especially for elders, the disabled and other needy people," he said. The Village would provide a driver for each vehicle who would also act as a guide.

In addition more toilets would be built and water filters introduced in public areas. "We are also looking at screening education movies and would have a live film making demonstration during weekends so that the public could have first hand experience of the film industry," he said.

On a suggestion made by the Sunday Observer' he also agreed to erect life-size statues of Sri Lankan film icons such as Gamini Fonseka, Vijaya Kumaratunge, Rukmani Devi, Ediie Jayamanne and H. R. Jothiplala.

This proposed film personalities wax museum when introduced would be a regions first.

This would enable visitors to take photographs of their favourite artistes and take back fond memories.

This proposed Film industry Wax museum can then be converted into a complete wax museum with the infusion of other national heroes. This would be another attraction.