The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs
The Minister stated that the Kaikawala Folk Arts Centre is not administered by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, but is on Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority land leased to the Southern Provincial Council, which built and opened it in 1991. He said related parts of the question were therefore not applicable and noted that a report from the Bentota Divisional Secretary had been placed in the Library. He added that his Ministry is reviewing the administrative status of folk arts and cultural centres, some of which fall under Provincial Councils, with a view to providing information, making necessary changes, and supporting development.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, the answer is as follows.
¶ 02 (a) (i) The Kaikawala Folk Arts Centre is not under our Ministry. It is located on land belonging to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority within GN Division 2A, Charahena, of the Bentota Divisional Secretariat. That land has been leased to the Southern Provincial Council, which constructed the Folk Arts Centre and opened it on 27.09.1991. The report sent by the Bentota Divisional Secretary is annexed and placed in the Library.
¶ 03 (ii) Not applicable. (iii) Not applicable. (iv) Not applicable.
¶ 04 (b) Not applicable, as the institution in question is not administered under our Ministry.
¶ 05 However, I should add: the public often assumes Folk Arts Centres, Jana Kala Foundations, and Cultural Centres are all under the Cultural Affairs Ministry. While some are under Provincial Councils, others are under our Ministry. I have already begun studying this and conducted inspections. We intend to provide information, make necessary changes, and undertake appropriate development.
Provenance
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- Hansard, Friday, 7 February 2025 ·No. 1739786070060795 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 7 February 2025. No. 1739786070060795. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/23051