China to build National Heritage Museum here

Rasika SOMARATHNA

The Sri Lanka-China cultural exchange programme was further boosted yesterday with the Chinese Government lending their hand in building a National Heritage Museum in addition to several other initiatives.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two countries to this effect, in the presence of Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka, with Cultural Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene and the Chinese delegation headed G. Yang signing on behalf of their countries.

The Prime Minister calling the occasion as one which further strengthened ties between Sri Lanka and China, added that connections had been established between the two countries even before China was a recognised nation.

Hailing China as an emerging economic giant which never hesitated to assist Sri Lanka in their hour of need, the Premier said that the BMICH (a donation by the People’s Republic of China) stood as a monument to the two countries’ friendly ties, which had been in existence from ancient times.

The Head of the Chinese delegation said, China would remain committed to assisting the social and economic development of Sri Lanka, a true and time honoured friend of China.

In addition to the Museum, Sri Lanka soon would own a fully fledged Performing Arts Theatre in accordance with international standards which also comes under a grant from China.

This unique centre for artists would be built in the former Nomads ground premises and would include halls, pavilions, dressing rooms, a 1288 seater theatre and would cater to recitals, dramas, symphonies etc. and would be managed by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

In addition, several other initiatives have been mooted under Sri Lanka-China cultural exchange programme to propagating development in both countries with regards to preserving culture and National heritage.