Monopoly in distribution of films: DC issues enjoining order against Film Corporation

By S.S. Selvanayagam

Colombo District Court issued an enjoining order operative until the application for Interim Injunction is heard and determined against the decision of the National Film Corporation to allow it to distribute films. 

District judge R.P.D.P.P. Ratnayake issued this order consequent to the plaint filed by the private film distributors E.A.P. Films and Theatres Ltd., Movie Producers and Importers Ltd., Lanka Film Distributors Company Ltd. and Cinema Entertainment Ltd. citing the National Film Corporation as Defendant. 

President’s Counsel S.A. Parathalingam with N.R. Sivendran and Achini Ranasinghe instructed by Anoma Goonetilleke appeared for the Plaintiff.

Plaintiffs state it was brought to the notice of the Cabinet that the monopoly over the entire local cinema industry which was in the hands of the National Film Corporation has not proved effective both in formulating policies to meet new developments and in the management of distribution of local films and other related activities.

They plead a Cabinet decision was taken in regard to handing over the distribution of films to the private sector.

They state consequent to the applications made by them, written agreement were entered. They also state the National Film Corporation under the ‘Rithma’ distribution equally distributes films islandwide to the various theatres and there are 61 theatres under the ‘Rithma distribution.