The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I thank Prof. Sena Nanayakkara for drawing the House’s attention to the arts and culture sector. Sri Lanka’s theatres face a severe crisis. The John de Silva Memorial Theatre is in a tragic state, as I have previously noted. We have begun work to resolve these issues. Apart from a few venues, many other theatres in Colombo are in similar condition—Elphinstone Theatre, Tower Hall, and others.

¶ 02 As you noted, in many outstations, “town halls” or institutional auditoriums are used as theatres, but they are not proper drama venues. We must understand that a general auditorium is not suitable for staging drama; these are specialized spaces. The Government and my Ministry are paying special attention to this. The effort and cost will not be wasted, because we are building the cultural life of our children.

¶ 03 We have also failed to properly equip the National Art Gallery for public use. Further, when great figures in our arts and culture pass away, their final respects have been paid under painfully inadequate conditions. We hope to correct that by establishing a dedicated, high-standard parlour with Government support, completing and dedicating a proper National Art Gallery to the nation.

¶ 04 Regarding theatres, as you said, we have a programme to provide at least one or two properly equipped venues—with correct sound systems, backstage facilities, etc.—per several districts. We began this journey this year and hope to formalize and complete planning with next year’s Budget. Thank you for raising this important subject.