Projects to upgrade and preserve traditional Lankan culture

Nadira Gunatilleke

COLOMBO: The Cultural Affairs Ministry has planned several projects to upgrade and preserve traditional Sri Lankan culture by educating the public, Cultural Affairs Ministry sources said.

The sources said under this project, arrangements will be made to translate renowned Sinhala and Tamil books into English to introduce them to the world market and world literature. Steps will also be taken to grant financial assistance to publish outstanding Sinhala and Tamil books.

Senehasa (Affection) will be launched on International Women's Day on March 8. This programme implemented through regional cultural centres will educate expectant mothers and husbands on bringing up children safeguarding Sri Lankan cultural and social values. The main ceremony will take place at Kethumathi Maternity Hospital, Panadura.

Gammedde Kalalaya, another cultural programme aimed at presenting a cultural show consisting of cultural items depicting day-to-day folk life will take place at night. The show will be conducted through rural cultural centres.

The Ministry has also launched a drama training and organising a show to mark the National Year of Drama, 2007. Under this programme drama scripts will be accepted from dramatists, enhance them and stage them after training. The training will take place at 132 cultural centres.

A programme called Yawwanodaya (Youth) will take place at all industrial estates. The first phase of this programme will be launched from Katunayaka and Biyagama.

Sanskruthika Purawara (cultural cities/villages) is another similar programme to be launched twice a year to promote traditional Sri Lankan culture. Under this programme around 20 villages will be combined to protect vanishing cultural rituals.