Mar 18 (IL) President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge has pledged that an SLFP-JVP Alliance government would never privatize the National Film Corporation. At the same time, she said that sports and arts would be completely depoliticized and their administration would be vested in veterans of those sectors.
The president was speaking at an informal meeting of artistes and sportsmen and women at the presidents house yesterday. Present on the occasion were Anoja Werasinghe, Nadeeka Gunesekera, Sabeetha Perera from among the artistes,and Susanthika Jayasinghe and Sugath Tilakaratne as well as several others representing those in the sports arena. The artistes pledged their support to the President in her efforts made on behalf of the arts. President Kumaratunge presented certificates to Inoka Sathyanganie and Damitha Abeyratne who won international fame for their Sinhala cinematic productions.
259 members of the Sri lankan contingent to the "SAAF" games were also present on the occasion. A sum of 6 million rupees was donated from the Presidents fund to meet the cost of their participation in the games. The donation was received by Susanthika Jayasinghe
