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National Dancing Festival this month

by Rashomi Silva

On a concept of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Ministry of Human resource development, Cultural and Education has organised a National Dancing Festival, 'Our Cultural Heritage', to boost the cultural and traditional fine arts of Sri Lanka.

This was announced by Dr. Karunasena Kodithuwakku, the Minister of Human Resource Development, Cultural and Education announced at a Press briefing yesterday.

The 'Kap Situwima' of 'Our Cultural Heritage' took place yesterday morning at an auspicious moment. The festival will be held on Viharamaha Devi Park centred 'Cultural Centre, from December 27 to 29.

Dancing teams representing all communities and every district will be participating. "Thanks to the ongoing peace process we could have a team form Jaffna too."

Dancing teams from Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Maldives will also display their talents at the festival.

This will be the first such National Festival to be held in Sri Lanka, the Minister said. "The United Nations has declared 2002 as the 'Year of World Cultural Heritage'. We are happy we could have the National Dancing Festival to coincide with the World Cultural Heritage year," he said.

Dr. Koddithuwakku added that Sri Lanka has entered the list of World Cultural Heritage sites with Sinharaja forest, Cultural Triangle and the Galle harbour. "We have to promote our intangible heritage such as traditional dancing and music to the world".

Dr Koddithuwakku also observed that the 'Nomads Ground' in Green Path belonging to the Colombo Municipal Council was bought at Rs. 50 million by the previous regime to establish a 'Performing Arts Centre'. "Two groups of consultants were hired paying another Rs. 50 million. Except for putting up a fence around the ground nothing concrete has taken place. We hope to investigate the matter."

Dr Koddithuwakku said a Memorandum Of Understanding was signed with the Chinese government to assist the Sri Lankan government in establishing the Performing Arts Centre. A Chinese team of consultants is due to arrive here shortly for the initial studies and we expect to begin construction early next year. 

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