Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris, in a 41 page judgement issued a short while ago, refused the request for an interim order against the screening of Priyantha Colambage's film "Adaraneeya Kathaavak", filed by the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol.

The NATA had requested the interim order, alleging that there were scenes in the film showing the use of alcohol and tobacco. The interim order was sought under the Criminal Procedures Act and the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act.

However, the Additional Magistrate directed that there were no provisions under these Acts to issue an interim order.

Furthermore, he directed that this was a work of art and therefore the film has to be considered as a whole, and not through individual scenes.

An interim order against the screening of the film will discourage the creator and others in the film industry, the Magistrate said, adding that a film is produced with considerable effort. Such an order will also have a negative impact on the people who earn their living through screening the movie in film halls, the Magistrate said.

He added that the NATA can appeal to a higher court if it is not satisfied with his judgement.