DNA slams IIFA outcome

6 June 2010 07:31 am

By Kelum Bandara


The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) said today that the much hyped Indian International Film Festival (IIFA) had become an ‘utter cropper’ even with President Mahinda Rajapaksa not attending the event.

Addressing a press conference, DNA General Secretary MP Vijitha Herath said that the government initially estimated the cost for the mega event at Rs. 450 million, but it eventually rose to Rs. 600 million. Mr. Herath said that the desired targets could not be achieved by the government even at the disposal of such a colossal amount of public money.

“The President also did not attend the event. Leading stars such as Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai did not also come. We do not oppose a grand festival being held. Yet, the government must be able to achieve the desired objectives. This festival is like a wedding without the bride and the groom. They have spent Rs. 600 million for the occasion alone. It is not money that is well-spent,” he said.