President opens Lotus Pond Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre:
Fillip for Performing Arts
Chaminda PERERA
President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said that the Lotus Pond
Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre will help improve self-confidence, talents,
self-discipline and knowledge of various societies among the younger
generation of the country.
Calling attention to the physical and spiritual development among the
people, the President said that it will help build a generation who can
withstand any challenge in the future.
The President was addressing the inauguration of the country’s first
state of the art Performing Arts Theatre - the Lotus Pond Mahinda
Rajapaska Theatre in Colombo.
He was of the view that perception and self-discipline are integral
parts of spiritual development.
“The country created the Samadhi Buddha statue in Anuradhapura when
the Chinese were building the Great Wall. When China introduced printing
technology to the world, Sri Lanka began committing Dhamma books into
writing,” he said.
The President also spoke about the Rubber-Rice Pact which was signed
between Sri Lanka and China in the 1950s. He said the Bandaranaike
International Conference Hall and Supreme Court complex, symbolize the
everlasting friendship between the two countries.
“China always stands by Sri Lanka in times of need.” He said the
support extended by China to protect the country’s sovereignty,
independence, and honour is immense.
He recollected how Chinese leaders promised support for the
Hambantota Harbour Project, Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Project and
the Performing Arts Theatre during his maiden visit to China as the
President.
The people of Sri Lanka have been waiting for these projects, he
said. He thanked the government and the people of China for gifting this
theatre to Sri Lankans.
“If this type of theatre was built some time back, a number of high
quality artistic creations could have been evolved. Sri Lanka is engaged
in a mission to construct ports, airports and power plants to ensure
that people receive all facilities,” he said. He added that Sri Lanka is
a country which is striving for the uplift of amity and closer
cooperation between all communities. The President said that Sri Lankans
should have large hearts to tolerate joy and woe alike.
He made special mention of former Prime Minister Sirimavo
Bandaranaike whose contribution helped build closer cooperation in many
fields with the People’s Republic of China.
First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne,
National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative
Conference, Vice Chairperson Zang Meiying, members of the diplomatic
corps and ministers were among those present. |