http://www.priu.gov.lk/news_update/Current_Affairs/ca201109/20110916gamani.htm

Friday, September 16, 2011 - 04.05 GMT
‘Gamani’ refreshes memory of a history going into oblivion - President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that Gamani is a film that refreshes our memory of a history that is being forgotten. The film best explains to the viewer the suffering of the people in villages targeted by terrorists, the sacrifice made by the armed forces to protect the people, and various difficulties and challenges encountered by government servants working in those areas. He made these observations at the launch of the official website of the movie www.gamani.lk yesterday (Sep 15) at Temple Trees.
The film is based on a true story: the massacre of 57 civilians in Gonagala by Tiger Terrorists in 1999. It illustrates the arduous life spent by villagers amidst ruthless and malignant activities of the terrorists, the commitment made by armed forces to protect the villages and their people, and also the way the villages were protected by means of traditional martial arts.
We have 3-decade long experience that provides ample sources for filmmaking. Making films of this kind must be encouraged, he noted. He also said that Gamini is a must-see-film for everyone.
On this occasion, discussions were also focused on the future of the cinema industry in Sri Lanka. Every measure has been taken by the Government for the progress of the industry, the President stressed.
The artists present pointed out that with the dawn of the new freedom, there is an increase in people going to cinema and theatre.
They also said that Gamini is an effective response to the Channel 4 that is in a process of tarnishing the image of Sri Lanka while whitewashing Tigers.
The event was attended by Director of the film Sarath Weerasekara, Producer Upali Rajapksa, and the artists starring in the film including Bimal Jayakody, W. Jayasiri, Dilhani Ekanayaka and Kumara Thirimadura.