Sri Lanka suspends film festival over Sinhala film

Sri Lankan authorities ordered the suspension of a film festival organised by the French Embassy over the inclusion of a Sinhala film set against the backdrop of ethnic conflict and civil war.
The French Embassy was informed of the decision to suspend the film festival on "account of the contents of and the sentiments contained in the Sinhala film 'Flying Fish'".
Lakshman Hulugalle, a defence ministry spokesman, called it "an illegal film which insults the security forces and the government".
Defence authorities were of the opinion that some scenes in the film were aimed at discrediting the Sri Lankan government.

The film directed by Sri Lankan filmmaker Sanjeewa Pushpakumara had its world premiere in 2011. The French Embassy said "Flying Fish" was chosen because of its international recognition in festivals in Asia and France.
The Embassy said the film festival was part of the French Spring Festival organised during June 18-July 14 with the support of the Sri Lankan Ministry of Culture and Arts.
"Flying Fish" comprises three narratives set against the backdrop of ethnic conflict and the civil war that ended in 2009, when government forces defeated Tamil Tiger rebels fighting for a separate state for minority Tamils.