The building construction of the fully-equipped  Tele-cinema Village  in Sri Lanka newly   built on  a concept of H.E. the President  Mahinda Rajapaksa  is expedited  at the moment.   “Serendib Studio” is  situated in Ranmihitenna  Village in Tissamaharama Divisional Secretariat in Hambantoa District and spreading over total area of 235 acres.

The construction  commenced on 30th October, 2008, is expected to complete the first stage of construction by the end of this year.   The first stage  construction is estimated at a cost of       Rs. 700 m.  This Project is  expected to be completed in 3 consecutive stages and the rough estimate of the cost  of the whole Project  stands at Rs. 2000 m .   In the first step it is expected  to complete construction of the Administration Building, the Accommodation Hall, the Back Lots, Studio, Workshops, Common facilities and the Garden Decoration.

The special feature of Ranmihitenna Tele-cinema Village is that an artist can complete his creation at international standards under one roof  but with low production cost.  This Ranmihitenna  Tele-cinema Village contains land with magnificent scenery  and vistas and a village tank of 40 acres.  The first phase of the Project is scheduled to be opened for the Artistes in December 2009.  Meanwhile, Producers have already requested  “Serendib Studio” to shoot 3 films  and Tele-dramas after its opening.   The objective of this Project is to provide facilities and services  for the Producers  of films / tele-dramas at affordable concessionary rates.

Also another feature of this land is that all the natural backgrounds used in production are situated at close proximity.  Accordingly, Yala Wild Life Park, Kataragama Sacred City,  Kirinda and Situlpauwa Sacred Lands,  beautiful  coastal  strip, areas of archeological importance  like the Magam Monarchy area of Tissamaharama and the close proximity to Wellawaya and beyond  reaching  the central hill country, help the producers to minimize their production costs and  travelling expenses.

Ranmihitenna Tele-cinema Village is funded by the State revenue tax collected from the foreign tele-dramas, and  is supervised fully by the Ministry of Mass Media and Information.  Senior artistes including Mr. Ravindra Randeniya, Dr. D.B. Nihasingha, act as Consultants of this Project.  In addition, artiste groups of Tele-cine members also contribute  towards this Project.   Involved in the Project are  well-known  and skilled background creating artistes like Mr. Errel  Kelly, Mr. Senaka Navaratne and Mr. Welegedera  Ranasinghe.

The private  production  services  Institutions also get the opportunity  to provide production services for the Tele-cinema Village which is under expeditious  construction.  In addition it is expected to provide facilities to hold Tele-cinema Training  Workshops in near future.   The Project is expected to  be  fully completed  in 2011.