‘Glaring reminder of nature’s power’
FILMMAKER SUNIL ARUNA WEERASIRI SAYS
Veteran film producer, director and theatre owner Sunil Aruna Weerasiri says the Covid-19 pandemic is a stark reminder of nature’s immense power that humans had underestimated in recent times. “Today even the so called developed and powerful countries are also struggling to cope with this pandemic. I read in the World Economic Forum’s ‘Nature Risk Rising Report’ that more than 50% of world’s GDP is highly or moderately dependant on nature. But we never respected the way nature works. Studies had also shown that deforestation and loss of wildlife globally could escalate infectious diseases. Besides my involvement in film business, I am also involved in the jewellery trade. We are badly hit by this pandemic. If we cannot consider this as nature’s punishment to humans, we must at least regard this as a lesson that nature is teaching us,” he said. “The economies, lifestyles and systems in the world have been destabilized. We are in a confused state, not knowing what would unfold the very next moment. I don’t know when cinemas would open and when life would return to normalcy. The best we could do is, respect nature, respect the laws in the country and live in the moment. Most importantly, as human beings we have to act responsibly.
“Today even the so called developed and powerful countries are also struggling to cope with this pandemic.”
I detest those who try to politicise this catastrophe to fulfil their agendas. The NFC and government must bring in new proposals to fix shortcomings in our film industry and ensure that all filmmakers get a level playing field to work in this industry. The media must also play a bigger role in the future to promote our films and arts,” said Sunil Aruna Weerasiri.