Glory for culture

Priyanka Kurugala

The present generation of the country has the opportunity to enjoy the glory of Independence. At present the country is free of terrorism. It is free of war and uncertainty. All citizens of the country should offer their gratitude to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for guiding the forces to eradicate the war.

Time has now come to think of our heritage.

Under the guidance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa the National Heritage and Cultural Affairs Ministry has launched numerous programs to develop the country’s culture.

Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, with the participation of Deputy Minister Gunaratna Weerakoon, is busy implementing these programs. The Government expects to direct all organizations functioning under the National Heritage and Cultural Affairs Ministry to work towards a new and prosperous direction.

One program is focused on tracing the roots of heritage in the Northern and Eastern provinces. Jaffna and Galle are being renovated as a result. The Ministry expects to launch the construction program with the assistance of historical sources as well as the veterans of the field.

The Ministry will reconstruct and renovate all dilapidated sites in these areas to bring them back to the glorious state.

Around 250,000 archaeological monuments have been identified by the Archaeological Department. Action will be taken to draw a new map of tourism including many particular ancient sites such as the Wayamba square, Deeghawapi, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.

The Ministry also plans to develop the Mahamevuna Park in Anuradhapura. This program will highlight the historical significance of the country. One of the main objectives of this program is to preserve and conserve the sacred sites. Around 600 acres of the ancient city of Anuradhapura will be included under this conservation program.

Developing Digamadulla and Deeghawapi is another major program. All these programs have been implemented to map out a new tourist area throughout the country. The program is to be launched under three phases.

Excavating the Thupa, conserving the Thupa and the compound (the Salapathalamaluwa), and conservation of the artifacts in the vicinity of Dheegawapi are the three phases respectively.

The authorities have estimated the cost at about Rs 200 million for the first phase. It has been proposed to introduce new and suitable trade outlets for the unauthorized traders in the sacred city.

Another program implemented under the Central Cultural Fund is the renovation program of the Sandagiri Stupa at Tissamaharama. The Government expects to enshrine relics on next Vesak full moon Poya day.

The Central Cultural Fund has taken steps to commence the Wayamba Cultural Square project. A Cultural and National Heritage Ministry spokesperson said that with the Wayamba Cultural Square project they hope to launch publicity programs to develop tourism.

They further expect to make a contribution to the country’s economy under the project. The Wayamba Cultural Square project will be launched to conserve the ancient cities of Dambadeniya, Panduwasnuwara, Kurunegala and Yapahuwa.

Under the direction of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the National Heritage and Cultural Affairs Ministry has drawn a plan to renovate the sacred site of Polonnaruwa. Under this project all entry avenues to sacred places, including the road from Polonnaruwa Gal Viharaya to Watadageya have been proposed to be developed.

The Ministry has planned to present national performance of arts at the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation. And the Ministry expects that this new trend will promote the development of the aesthetic tastes of our people, the Ministry spokesperson added.

The Ministry has planned to gift the Tower Hall Foundation as a complete performing art centre to the future generation. The Ministry expects to import 735 seats manufactured technically and comfortably.

The National Heritage and Cultural Affairs Ministry will give human and physical resources to develop the National Archives Department to international standards. The Minister has agreed with providing modern technology and completing the department’s necessities.

The cultural cynosure of this country should be mostly the National Museum in Colombo. The museum officials are working on a program to enhance its visitors.

The officials say they are following the way international museums are operated to increase the local income. The chambers of the National Museum have been repaired with private funds.

The National Museum will be open for the public from 9 am to 6.30 pm everyday under instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. This is for the convenience of schoolchildren from the North and East who are very keen to visit the Museum.

Antiquities Replicas Center at Pasyala, Bataleeya has earned Rs 13 million by selling models of artifacts for this year. This centre is governed by the Central Cultural Fund.

Apart from Bataleeya the main centre there are 10 other approved centres selling these models of artifacts. The main objective of Bataleeya centre is to create models of artifacts to prevent the illegal export of original artifacts.

Under the sponsorship of the People’s Republican of China, the National Performing Arts Theatre will be open for the public next year. The Performing Arts Centre will be built according to indigenous architectural methods. Its model is the ancient lotus pond in Polonnaruwa.

The National Rupavahini Awards Ceremony was a new experience for creators of new television programs. It was a good event for all television institutes of the country. This event was held, as a novel event, in 2010.

National Heritage and Cultural Affairs Ministry has appointed members for the Sub Committees of Music, Dancing and Drama at a meeting held at the auditorium of the Ministry recently. The purpose of these committees is to bring the standard of music, dancing and drama up to international levels. In order to achieve this, the Ministry has proposed to set up a systematic mechanism.

According to the ministry’s cultural exchange program, the artistes have made several exchange programs with Japan, Russia and some other countries. Japan has already gifted the building and equipment for a beautiful museum established in Sigiriya. It has cost about Rs 515 millions.

The inauguration ceremony of the SAARC was held in Sri Lanka carrying much importance in order to recognize and promote the contribution of these rituals and ethics towards societal stability. This process is not only to protect our heritage but also to achieve sustainable, holistic socio-economic development in the region.

Sigiriya frescoes are another cultural wealth of the country. The Ministry has launched a program to protect them for posterity.

The National Heritage and Cultural Affairs Ministry has also initiated action to proclaim the Sri Pada as a World Heritage Site. Seven historical sites: Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Sigiriya rock fortress, Dambulla rock temple, Galle Dutch Fort and Sinharaja rainforest have been named as World Heritage Sites under the International Convention on Protection of World Culture and Environmental Heritage passed by the UNESCO. With Sri Pada this number will not be increased into eight.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is the leader, guide and guardian of the present generation. Anticipation of a good leader to cultivate a healthy impression on the young generation has already been actualized.