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.
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