Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for a national programme to protect and modernise Sri Lanka’s cinema and arts sector, stressing the need to preserve longstanding institutions while embracing new technologies and changing audience trends.
Premadasa made the remarks during a meeting with directors of the Sri Lankan Cinema Artists’ Association at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo on Saturday (20), where discussions focused on challenges facing the arts industry.
“We need a new programme to safeguard the cinema and arts sector. While protecting what we have built over the years, we must also modernise the industry and adapt it to contemporary realities,” he said.
The Opposition Leader noted that the arts sector has undergone significant changes since the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, and said future development should combine traditional strengths with innovation and technology.
“We must preserve our valuable institutions while introducing new ideas, technologies and systems. The old and the new must move forward together,” Premadasa said.
He also highlighted the need to attract investment into the sector and suggested introducing concessionary loan schemes to support artists and creative industries.
“Providing financial assistance alone is not enough. We must also think about how creative productions can reach audiences. Otherwise, artists may end up burdened with debt,” he said.
Premadasa said emerging platforms and technologies, including YouTube, Netflix and artificial intelligence, should be utilised alongside traditional media to strengthen the industry.
Calling for broad stakeholder engagement, he urged artists, industry representatives and policymakers to work together to develop a national cinema policy.
“This should not become a political football. We need a national cinema programme with the participation of both the public and private sectors,” he said.
Premadasa added that the Opposition Leader’s Office was prepared to facilitate wider discussions aimed at developing a comprehensive strategy for the future of Sri Lanka’s arts and cinema sector. (Newswire)