Ashley Ratnavibhushana the foremost interpreter of Sri Lankan cinema to the outside world would be featured in Rupavahini’s ‘Alakamandawa’ program scheduled to telecast today at 10.30 pm. The programme will focus on Ashley’s enormous contribution to the sphere of cinema over the decades.
Ratnavibhushana is known as an eminent film critic, writer and a film society activist. He has organized a gamut of Sri Lankan film festivals at international festivals and has introduced new filmmakers to the global fraternity.
Ashley joined Film Critics and journalists Association (FCJAC) in 1969 to play a pivotal role in establishing Sri Lanka Branch of the OCIC (now SIGNIS) along with Rev Fr Ernest Poruthota.
Ashley being one of the founders of the Network for the Promotion of Asia Pacific Cinema (NETPAC) in 1990 was recognized as the Co-President of NETPAC.
He was instrumental in establishing Asian Film Centre in 1991 which makes a continuous contribution to promote film culture in Sri Lanka.
As a distinguished member of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) and the International Federation of Film Societies (FICC), Ratnavibhushana has participated in several international film festivals in various capacities as Jury Chairperson, Jury Member and Delegate.
More recently he coordinated a Sri Lankan film package with twelve films at Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema, France under the title of “Masters of Sri Lankan Cinema”.
He has had the privilege to curate several Sri Lankan film packages at various international film festivals such as Hong Kong, Fukuoka, London, Jeonju and Kerala.
He is one of the founders and the first National Secretary of the Sri Lanka branch of Catholique Internationale du Cinema (OCIC – now SIGNIS) and Founder/ President of the Asian Film Centre (AFC).
Ashley being a prolific writer was the founding editor of Cinesith, a film quarterly published in Sinhala in addition to being the co-author of an array of valuable books.
He edited Sinhala book on Documentary and Newsreels Produced by Government Film Unit and published by the Department of Information (2012).
Alakamandawa TV program will shed light on Ashley Ratnavibhushana’s enormous contribution to Sri Lankan cinema and the Asian cinema.
CBW
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