Deputy Secretary of the Religious Affairs Ministry’s Buddha Jayanthi Office, D.Thenuwara said the decision to have school shows was made following requests by school principals.

“We are discussing it further with the Film Corporation,” he said.

The Ministry will hold a Buddhist Film Festival for the public at Elphinstone Theatre, Maradana from June 18 to 22. Films in the morning will be open for schoolchildren.

The ministry has organised the festival on of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s advice. The President had requested ambassadors in Sri Lanka at a meeting held in Colombo, to provide Buddhist films produced in their countries for the festival.

India, Bhutan and China had already responded by providing several films. Korea and Myanmar are yet to respond, said Thenuwara.

This is the first time that an international Buddhist Film Festival has been organised in the country, he said.

The films to be screened at Elphinstone Theatre from June 18 are Amrapali, The Cup, Kundun, Milarepa and Khun.

The Public Trustees Department is supporting to organise the festival.

Films at Elphinstone

* Amrapali

* The Cup

* Kundun

* Milarepa

* Khun