Museum for Vanniyela Aththo community

BY BHARATHA Malawaraarachchi

THE first-ever museum to showcase the country's Vanniyela Aththo community in Dambana and their livelihood was opened on Sunday.

This will be the initial stage of the museum. It was completed at a cost of Rs 5.5 million on the instruction of Healthcare and Nutrition and Uva Wellassa Development Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

The museum had been designed to safeguard and preserve the cultural heritage and inheritance of the community. "This will help educate the public on the Vanniyela Aththo, their livelihood and cultural inheritance," a Ministry spokesman told the Daily News.

The museum will comprise an auditorium and two stages to showcase the community's traditional dancing and musical instruments. Several stalls will be erected for the sale of their handicrafts.

Minister Silva said the required funds have been allocated to fully complete the proposed project and make it an attractive place for visitors. He also instructed the National Engineering Advisory Council to proceed with the project.

The Minister who looked into the problems faced by the people in Dambana also ordered the Health Ministry officials to take action to commence the reconstruction of the Dambana Hospital.