News

Cinemas to reopen from Jan 1

Published

4 years ago

2020/12/28

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Cultural Affairs has instructed the National Film Corporation to reopen cinemas starting from Jan 1 with limited seating capacity in keeping with the health guidelines.

The cinemas except those in areas currently under lockdown will operate from Jan 01, the Prime Minister’s office yesterday said in a media statement.

The decision was taken after a group of cinema artistes, film producers, directors and members of the cinema hall owners’ association met with Prime Minister Rajapaksa to explain their grievances and the prevailing situation in the film industry in the face of the pandemic situation, the release said.

The Government had in October decided to close all cinemas as a result of the second wave of the coronavirus. This was the second instance in which cinemas operating under the National Film Corporation had been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cinemas were initially temporarily closed from March 14 due to the first coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Prime Minister’s Media Secretary Rohan Welivita said that the government would take action to save the cinema industry by giving maximum possible assistance to the stakeholders and measures such as removing Entertainment Tax too were being considered.

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Sixth anniversary of Easter Sunday carnage: Special security provided to churches

Published

39 seconds ago

2025/04/20

Thilina Walpola

Police and armed forces personnel will be deployed at all churches today as the sixth anniversary of the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks is marked.Police stations have been instructed to provide special security to churches in their areas and seek assistance from the STF and tri-forces where additional manpower is needed.

Security arrangements have been made under the direction of Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya.

Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuiyakontha convened a special meeting on Thursday, instructing the Commanders of the Tri-Forces to implement a comprehensive security plan to safeguard worshippers attending Easter Sunday services.

He further directed that the measures be taken in close coordination with the Ministry of Public Security to ensure effective implementation and to allow Christians to attend services without fear or inconvenience.The main commemoration service is set to begin with a procession from St. Lucia’s Cathedral at 7:00 a.m., with participation from Catholics

in nearby parishes—particularly from Colombo Central, Colombo North, Wattala, and Ragama—as well as brothers from junior and national seminaries, priests, and religious leaders. Colombo Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith is expected to conduct the prayer service, which is scheduled to begin at 8:40 a.m.

A separate commemoration will also take place at St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, in two sessions—one at 8:30 a.m. and another at 4:30 p.m.

By Norman Palihawadane

News

Easter Sunday carnage: Catholic Bishops’ Conference renews call for justice

Published

2 mins ago

2025/04/20

Thilina Walpola

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka says that ascertaining who the perpetrators of the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019 were and those who have aided and abetted in the dastardly act, is a matter of urgency.

In its special message for Easter the conference says: “This Easter also marks the sixth anniversary of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks on innocent worshipers at Catholic and other Christian Churches and in other places in 2019, causing death and injuries to hundreds of people. In this regard, we observe that certain positive steps have been taken by the present government to ensure an independent and impartial inquiry into this brutal attack.

While we appreciate the efforts made so far, we insist that as a matter of urgency and justice, the final aim of the inquiries should be to ascertain who the perpetrators are and those who have aided and abetted in the dastardly act.

We shall continue to pray earnestly for wisdom and courage for the leaders of our country, as well as solace and healing for the victims,” the message signed by the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka, Bishop Harold Anthony Perera and Secretary General Bishop Anthony Jayakody said.