Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC is planning to bring in new legislation to secure the professionalism of artistes and protect their creative work.
The Justice Ministry will receive ideas and suggestions in this regards from artistes and literati until January 20, 2024.
During a recent meeting with the Minister artistes had suggested that a Government body should be established by a new Act with authority to represent all fields of art including cinema, tele-drama, music, stage plays, painting and poetry.
It was discussed that new laws should be prepared in relation to maintaining the artistes’ professionalism while maintaining it as an industry. In addition protecting copyright issues too were discussed. The artistes pointed out that it is a major issue that this kind of Government intervention has not happened so far and therefore the artistes themselves gathered and formed various organisations.
The artistes also pointed out the need to consider each art field separately as the issues and relevant matters are different.
Minister Rajapakshe in the meeting assured the draft of this new Act will be prepared with the views and suggestions of all artistes and Ministries and institutions related to arts. Taking into consideration the ideas and suggestions presented by artistes and representatives of relevant organisations, a committee has been appointed under the leadership of the renowned musician and scholar Edward Jayakody, which includes 20 representatives representing the main artistes’ organisations of the country.
The relevant committee will take into consideration the suggestions and opinions of all the artistes and submit a preliminary report to the Minister before January 20, 2024.
The Ministry informs artistes and relevant organisations to submit their views and suggestions to the Media Adviser (Committee Secretary), Justice Ministry, No. 19, Sri Sangharaja Mawatha, Colombo 10 or to the email address [email protected] by on or before January 20, 2024.
