Mrs. Sumitra Peries's film Sakman Maluwa (The Garden ) was screened  as the opening film of the festival. The audience included Special invitees representing the members of the Diplomatic Corps, Canadian officials and important personalities from the Arts Circles and the expatriate Sri Lankan community.

Launching the Film Festival, High Commissioner Chitranganee Wagiswara spoke of the remarkable developments in the Sri Lankan film industry since independence and spoke of the facilities provided to the Film Industry, including the Ranminitenna, the Mahinda Rajapaksa Tele-Cinema Park.

She also spoke of Sri Lanka as an attractive location to shoot films. In this context she cited the "Bridge on the River Kwai" and the most recent films "Water" and the current filming on the book based on Salman Rushdie's "Midnight's Children", both by Canada's own Deepa Mehta.

The High Commissioner spoke of Mr. Chaminda Perera, the Founder of the Tharupathy Arts Circle, who is a prominent member in the field of arts in Ottawa and thanked him for his assistance & support to stage the Film festival.

The Executive Director of the Canadian Film Institute  Mr. Tom McSorley in his address said that the Institute is happy to host the 4th Film Festival for Sri Lanka and referred to the good quality and high standards of the Sri Lankan films.

The Film festival which goes on till the 29th June will include films by prominent Director Sanath Gunathilaka's Ekamath Eka Rataka (Once Upon a Time), Walapatala(Penumbara) by Vijitha Gunaratne and Sudu Kaluwara by Sudath Rohana.

Following the screening of the film the High Commission also hosted a reception for the entire audience.

Prior to the screening of the film the High Commission made use of the opportunity to showcase clips of tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. There were many inquires by Canadians on the subject of Tourism. The Film festival has created an interest on Sri Lanka and there have been a number of inquires by Canadians on tourist attractions and cinematic locations in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa, Canada

17^th June 2011