Arts Centres in North and East after 30 years

Sandasen Marasinghe and Irangika Range

Culture and Arts Minister T B Ekanayake yesterday stated in Parliament that 280 Art Centers were registered for the first time after 30 years in the Northern and Eastern Provinces after the elimination of terrorism. He added that there were no such centers in those areas till this government took measures to establish them. He made this observation in response to an adjournment motion moved by UPFA member A H M Azwer.

A H M Azwer (UPFA): Tamil magazines have a history going back to three colonial times. The first Tamil magazine was launched in 1946 by an editor named Vardar. Thereafter a large number of Tamil magazines came into being. We believe that there was an influence on our Tamil magazines by those imported from Tamil Nadu.

Unais Farook (UPFA): A few Tamil erudites have worked to enrich the Tamil language.

There should be means to encourage the writers working in Tamil language.

Sri Ranga (UPFA): Around 300 magazines and newspapers are published in the Tamil language.

Kamala Ranathunga (UPFA): I think these magazines and newspapers also have a responsibility to carry items that would strengthen the unity between communities. But not what the inimical forces of the nation need.

Y.G. Padmasiri (UPFA): There is a tendency of Sinhala students to learn Tamil language. The two cultures would enrich each other.

Culture and Arts Minister T B Ekanayake: A large scale programme has been initiated to improve the knowledge of all three languages.