'Janakala Centre for country's development'

Rs 4 mn budget :

Priyanka KURUGALA

Minister Dr Jagath Balasuriya

"Rs four million has been allocated from this year's budget to develop the Janakala Centre. Therefore, the National Heritage Ministry has the strength to develop the Centre to support the country's economy", said National Heritage Minister Dr Jagath Balasuriya.

Rs three million has been allocated for capital expenditure and one million for recurrent expenditure, he added.

The National Heritage Ministry with the collaboration of the Economic Development Ministry, has drawn up a plan to launch a programme to attract tourists for the country's folk arts as many tourists are interested in visiting Sri Lanka's national heritage sites, viewing folk art and buying replicas of antiques.

The Janakala Centre Director General Bhaswara Senaka Gunaratna said that it will be advantageous to include folk art to develop tourism to boost the country's economy.

Janakala Centre has already established a Vocational Training centre for traditional industries and an Aesthetic Education Institute.