March 28, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe conducted an inspection tour, visiting the John de Silva Memorial Theatre and the National Art Gallery, both of which have faced prolonged delays in completion since construction began in 2011, reported the President’s Media Division.
During his visit, President Wickremesinghe urged officials to expedite the opening of the National Art Gallery by the end of the year, stressing the importance of consensus among artists and architects.
He assured government support for necessary financial allocations to facilitate this process.
Furthermore, the President emphasised the need for high-quality yet affordable theatres in Colombo, questioning the feasibility of such facilities following the completion of the John de Silva Theatre.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe highlighted the significance of consulting dramatists before finalising decisions on construction and maintenance projects.
He directed the Ministry Secretary to explore options for revitalising the Lumbini Theatre and the Nawarangahala, while also initiating plans for the construction of a drama theatre at Colombo’s Sudarshi Premises.
Additionally, President Wickremesinghe underscored the importance of establishing a national cultural zone, encompassing key venues such as the Nelum Pokuna, Kalabhavana, John de Silva Memorial Theatre, Museum, and related areas.
He tasked the Ministry of Cultural Affairs with preparing a comprehensive report on this initiative.
Furthermore, he urged officials to elevate Sri Lanka’s museum system to international standards and instructed them to identify a suitable country for mentorship in this endeavour.
Accompanying the President during the event were Secretary of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Somaratne Vidanapathirana, Additional Secretary Thilak Hettiarachchi, Director General of the Department of Cultural Affairs Yasintha Gunawardena, the team of architects from the University of Moratuwa involved in the design of these buildings, and Navy officers overseeing the National Art Gallery renovations.
Several prominent artists including Prof. Praneeth Abhayasundara, Prof. Chandragupta Thenuwara, Parakrama Niriella, Mohamed Safeer, and Saman Athaudahetti also addressed the gathering, sharing their perspectives on behalf of the artistic community.
