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.
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