The first ever tele-cinema village Ranminitenna, which was in a dilapidated condition during the Yahapalanaya Government is now set to raise its head again to its pristine glory under President Gotabaya Rajapakasa regime.
The cinema village was one of the first projects vested with the people of the Hambantota district, by the Government of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The constructions put up for the cinema industry and the tele drama producers, at the tele cinema village are now on the verge of collapse due to non-maintenance by the management that took over with the change of regime.
Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne commenting on the tele cinema village said he had produced a number of films including Kusa Paba, Paththini, Yasodara and Vijyabakollaya at this cinema village. He said he felt deeply sad to see the dilapidated state of the cinema village.
Prof. Ariyaratne said he was of producing another film at the tele cinema village named Kadiradevraja to mark the 73rd anniversary of the Sinhala Cinema. He said the yahapaalana regime had abandoned the cinema village, and he was happy that the present regime under the Presidency of Gotabya Rajapaksa, has taken steps to give it a new lease of life.
Chairman of the tele cinema village, veteran actor, Ravindra Randeniya, commenting on the present situation of the tele-cine village said several foreign films had been shot there and visitors in their large numbers visited the site, pointing out that the management could earn a satisfactory income, but they needed funds to carry out the maintenance work.
Actor Randeniya blamed the yahapalanaya regime for tarnishing the image of the tele cinema village calling it an utter waste of public funds and resources.
He said facilities needed for the entire crew to reside is provided enabling the producer, actors and actresses to work with ease, with no hardships or inconvenience.
The Ranminitenna tele cinema village was set up under a concept of then President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The first building was set up by the Central Engineering Institute funded by the Media Ministry. The present task of renovation requires funds and effort to bring back the tele cinema village to its previous state and it is hoped to complete renovation within a period of a year with State sponsorship.
The Hambantota district is enriched with the first ever Mattala Mahnda Rajapaksa International Airport, the International Convention Hall similar to the Colombo BMICH, Safari Park, the Dry Zone Botanical Gardens and the Agro Technology Park at Bata-aththa.