Controversy over Sri Lanka film

The film talks about people who have lost loved ones in the war

By Alastair Lawson in Colombo

A Sri Lankan filmmaker has for the first time shown a large audience in this island nation his film on the impact of the civil war.

'Death on a Full Moon Day' tells the story of a Sinhalese father's refusal to accept that his son has been killed while serving in the army against Tamil Tiger rebels.

The film has already won numerous plaudits, including the prestigious Golden Unicorn prize in France, for its graphic description of the war that has killed 60,000 people over the last 17 years.

Director Prassana Vithanage says he is a victim of censorship

But it is banned in Sri Lanka because the authorities say it undermines the country's war effort.

Private screening

The film's director, Prasanna Vithanage, was forced to show the film to a specially invited audience at a private screening.

He says that he is the latest victim of the government's censorship policies.

He says that he is still running a risk even in showing the film to an invited audience.

"There is a risk because there will sometimes be a backlash from the government papers, but I am ready to face it because I have to show what is in the film," he says.

Screening 'deferred'

A statement issued by the Sri Lankan Government said that the screening of the film had been deferred until the security situation in the country improved.

Mr Vithanage said that with no end to the war in prospect, the government's announcement in effect meant that his film was banned for the foreseeable future.

He said that Death on a Full Moon Day dealt with the experiences of ordinary Sri Lankans who had lost loved ones in the war.

These people were bearing the burdens of the nation, he said, but their story was not being told to the people of the country.