The Hon. Jagath Manuwarna

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, in this important debate on the Heads of the Ministries of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and of Environment, I must draw special attention to the Opposition. Though multiple Heads fall under two Ministries, many young Opposition MPs sit here—yet, regrettably, their regard for our culture, religion, and environment is apparent by their absence from these benches. If a wide shot were shown, the people would see how little the shouting Opposition cares for these subjects.

¶ 02 Recently, an Opposition MP leveled a grave allegation here, showing me this photograph on his phone, claiming the person being beaten in the 1983 July riots was a JVP member, and alleging our spiritual leader was involved. Before entering politics, that MP was a journalist at a reputed channel and should know better. The photo was taken by photographer Chandragupta Amarasinghe—whom I have met—and featured in Jude Ratnam’s documentary on the 1983 July riots, with on-site commentary. The claim is entirely false. Spreading such falsehoods aims to reverse the mandate we have received. As a former journalist, he should protect the dignity of his profession and his media institution. We reject such gutter politics. And 1983 was not an isolated incident.

¶ 03 In the 1970s—the golden era of Lankan cinema—cinema later collapsed. Many factors contributed, including 1983, when numerous cinemas were torched; even today the burnt Seeduwa cinema stands in ruins. Notably, K. Venkat, who made the film “Sri Pathula,” was murdered and his vehicle set ablaze. I recall MP Mano Ganesan thanking the present Minister of Justice, Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, noting that his father, Yasapalitha Nanayakkara, helped save that family; K. Venkat left his house and was later killed in Kalubowila. Those who created that dark history—represented by their parties—now try to pin that infamy on us; we reject it.

¶ 04 Given limited time, I will focus on cinema, theatre, and the arts. I grew up in Galaha, Kandy District, where the “Johnny Galaha” cinema closed over 25 years ago. Around Kandy, many cinemas—Regal, Wyes, Wembley, Tusitha-Peradeniya, Odeon (both in Galle Face and Kandy), Sigiri-Katugastota, and Erina-Katugastota—have shut. Only the KCC Multiplex remains. We bear responsibility to revive cinema. We have initiated discussions with the Minister of Cultural Affairs to establish a cinema academy—a long-felt need—to build knowledge for an industry. Preliminary talks have begun, and with Indian assistance we plan to establish an internationally reputed cinema theatre in the future.

¶ 05 Theatre too is constrained—new productions by young creators reach only a few Colombo venues. Rural youth and schoolchildren lack spaces to watch drama or music. In my Hewaheta electorate, across two DS Divisions, there is not a single theatre or cinema. Where is their cultural right? We must restore these spaces and extend State attention. Two national drama festivals—the Youth Awards and the State Drama Festival—showcase excellent young work, but thereafter there is nowhere to stage them. We will arrange islandwide tours for selected plays so all can see them, not only Colombo audiences.

¶ 06 Regrettably, students studying performing arts often have never watched a film in a cinema or a stage play. From such cohorts, what can we expect at concerts other than chair-throwing and vandalism? To cultivate a generation that loves art and culture, we must create opportunities and build aesthetic sensibility. We will develop cultural spaces in villages through cultural centres.

¶ 07 We are a movement and party that recognize art and culture as a right in people’s lives. Our manifesto pledge—“A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life”—includes securing cultural rights for the people. Reaffirming that promise, I conclude, thanking you for the opportunity, Hon. Deputy Chairperson.