Scope Cinemas to launch 6 screen multiplex at Havelock City

Scope CinemasLtd., is to introduce a six screen multiplex at the premier mixed development project Havelock City by August 2021.

The move will involve an investment of Rs. 500 million by Liberty Lands and Development Ltd., the parent company of Scope Cinemas Ltd.

The multiplex will be the most modern in the country, Liberty Lands and Development Ltd. Managing Director Imithiaz J. Carder told the Daily FT.

“The multiplex will have a total seating capacity of 1,000 and it will be completed by August 2021 with the most advanced technologies and upgraded consumer experiences,” Scope Cinemas Ltd. Chairman Naveed Carder added.

Scope Cinemas Ltd. CEO Thushan Meemanage said the theatre would be equipped with state-of-the-art sound systems with the best comfortable seats and ambiance to optimise the viewing extravagance and thus provide the audience a joyful and memorable movie experience.

With its relaunch, Scope Cinemas Ltd. plans to take the modern movie watching experience, once privileged to the country’s capital, to the rural areas of the island as well, giving every citizen an equal opportunity to enjoy a truly magical viewing experience while focusing especially on releasing and promoting internationally and locally produced films nationwide.

Liberty Cinema Ltd. and Skyline Entertainment Ltd. are the agents for Hollywood movies from Paramount, Sony, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., Disney Movies and Lions Gate movies. They are also known for hosting exclusive international premieres of blockbuster Hollywood movies.

Although the company is on a mission to expand its presence nationwide, Carder asserted that although they release movies on their own as far as possible, they would still work with other cinemas as well.

Congratulating the new Government, Carder said they were looking forward to working with it to develop the film industry in the country.

He also pointed out that the film industry needed strong Government support to survive post-COVID-19 pandemic.

“Mahinda Rajapaksa during his tenure as the President introduced a seven-year tax holiday if we are refurbishing a cinema, a 10-year tax holiday if we are building a cinema and Rs. 35 million double tax relief for a film production. However all these incentives aimed at promoting cinema were suspended by the former Unity Government,” the Liberty Lands and Development Ltd., Managing Director Cader said.

He expressed hope that the new Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa who is also the Cultural Affairs Minister would look into all the setbacks faced by the industry in the immediate future.