HOW CAN DEFENCE MINISTRY INTERFERE IN FILMS?: MANGALA

A main opposition UNP parliamentarian yesterday said the banning of the movie ‘Flying Fish’ directed by Sanjeewa Pushpakumara was far from being fair as its theme on ‘extra marital relationships’ have

How can the Defence Ministry interfere with matters concerning the screening of a movie,?

almost become a social norm in this country.

MP Mangala Samaraweera told journalists that extra marital relationships had become a social norm as even those who hold high posts in the country maintained such relationships. “This is not something confined to the members of the security forces alone,” he said.

The UNP MP also questioned as to why the government decided to ban the film when it also highlights the barbaric acts of the LTTE.

He also said the ban did not have validity as the censor board had already approved its screening at the recent French Film Festival. He said the Defence Ministry decided that the movie should be banned after it had been approved by the Censor Board. “How can the Defence Ministry interfere with mat-

Mr. Nanayakkara was the brother in law of Chief Justice Mohan Peiris Why the government decided to ban the film when it also highlights the barbaric acts of the LTTE.

ters concerning the screening of a movie,? he asked.

Mr. Samaraweera said the allegation that military attire had been used in the film without the permission of the defence authorities was false as Mr. Pushpakumara had already handed over the permit to the CID.

He said it was unfair to stick the LTTE label on Mr. Pushpakumara as none of the Diaspora members had funded the film. He said movie had been funded by businessman Manohan Nanayakkara who had worked with renowned film directors including Sumitra Peries. He said Mr. Nanayakkara was the brother in law of Chief Justice Mohan Peiris.