President to open new performing arts theatre

by L.S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will open the “Lotuspond Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre,” the performing arts theatre in Colombo, on Thursday, December 15, said Mass Media and Information Ministry Secretary W. B. Ganegala.

The theatre is donated by the Chinese Government. A high-powered Chinese delegation headed by a Deputy Prime Minister will attend the opening ceremony, he said.

An opera produced by leading Sri Lanka artistes such as Jayantha Chandrasiri, Rohana Weerasingha and Channa Wijewardena will be staged at the “Lotuspond Theatre” to mark its opening.

A popular Chinese opera will also be staged. The two operas are based on the famous Seda Mawatha concept, Film and Drama Director Jayantha Chandrasiri said.

Popular Sinhala actor, Ravindra Randeniya said that the “Lotus pond” theatre is a great asset to Sri Lankan artistes and it was a long-felt need.

The new theatre with a sitting capacity of 1,288 has been built with ultra modern facilities, he said.

Chief Executive Officer of the Theatre, Cornel Senerath Nivunhalla said that the theatre conforms to international standards with modern facilities such as a main hall, open air theatre, two halls, operations room, 13 dressing rooms, auditorium a training hall, two car parks and a canteen .

A media briefing chaired by Media Ministry Secretary W.B. Ganegala was held at the theatre yesterday with leading film idols such as Jackson Anthony, Jayantha Chandrasiri, Rohana Weerasingha, Ravindra Randeniya and Channa Wijewardena.