Sri Lanka on road to national resurgence - Cultural Minister

by L.S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

Sri Lanka should march forward with other countries and maintain its unique identity said Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

Sri Lanka's identity reflects its national heritage and indigenous culture. A series of programs were launched by our Ministry to develop cultural heritage during the last couple of years, he said.

He said President Mahinda Rajapaksa laid special emphasis on the cultural renaissance in his 'Mahinda Chintana' policy framework for the cultural development.

Elaborating the programs implemented by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Ministry secretary Wimal Rubasingha said that one of the principal aims of the programs which were implemented by the Ministry was the spiritual uplift and resurgence of national values and traditional customs with which the Sri Lankan society is richly endowed 'Mathata Thitha' is a landmark achievement in the context of our national heritage.He said that 150 cultural centres established in the Divisional Secretarys' divisions were the venue for cultural and national heritage programs conducted islandwide in promoting patriotism and aesthetic tastes of our people.

The Secretary said completion of major conservation projects such as the Jethavana Stupa project was a remarkable achievement of the Ministry.

According to Archaeologists the Jethavana Stupa was conserved by the present government after 992 years.The rehabilitation of the Archaeological museums such as Galle beach museum and Sigiriya museum were landmark achievements of the ministry, he said.

Sigiriya which was declared a world heritage site by the United Nations Organisation has an international level museum. The Japanese Government contributed Rs. 515 million to the Sigiriya project, he said.

The National Performing Arts Theatre which is nearing completion at Nomads Grounds Colombo will be declared open before September this year, the Secretary said. This theatre which is a gift of the Chinese Government costing Yuan 150.8 million will have all the features of an international performing arts theatre, he said.

He said that 11,020 historical and archaeological sites had been identified for conservation after an islandwide study.

The Kandy-Kundasale local performing arts training centre which is under construction will be completed before the end of next year, the Secretary said.