July 22, Colombo: Sri Lanka has decided to name 2011 as the national Year of Cinema, says the Minister of Media and Information Keheliya Rambukwella.

The Ministry of Media and Information says that this decision aims to upgrade local cinema industry. Accordingly, the presidential cinema awards festival will be recommenced next year.

Minister Keheliya Rambukwella revealed these facts at a meeting held at the National Film Corporation with cinema artistes.

The Ministry has also decided to set up a cinema institute with the aim to impart knowledge to the cinema artistes and technicians, disclosed the Minister. He also said that new cinema halls will also be set up in the country.