John de Silva Theatre to be modernized

Ishara Mudugamuwa

The Culture and the Arts Ministry has launched a project to modernize the John de Silva Memorial Theatre and National Arts Gallery (Jathika Kalabhavana) following a request from President Mahinda Rajapaksa, said Culture and the Arts Minister T B Ekanayaka.

Addressing the media at the Culture and the Arts Ministry premises, Minister Ekanayake said as mentioned in the Mahinda Chinthanaya, it is necessary to improve art centres and provide facilities for artistes for training. Therefore, the President directed the ministry to renovate the John de Silva Memorial Theatre with modern facilities.

"The government has allocated Rs 322.4 million for the first phase of the project. The John de Silva Theatre will be modernized as the first phase of the project and the National Art Gallery will be modernized as the second phase," he said.

The ministry plans to complete the first phase of the project within a year.

The minister said there were false media reports about this modernization project. But the government will never destroy the John de Silva Theatre and will never change its name, he added.

"Some say that the National Art Gallery is an archaeological site. But the Archaeological Department proved that it is not an archaeological site as only buildings constructed before 100 years are considered as archaeological sites," Minister Ekanayaka said.

The John de Silva Memorial Theater is in a dilapidated condition and the lighting system, sound system and seating arrangements need repair.

As the theater does not have air condition facilities, the audience faces difficulties in rainy days and hot climate.

"The John de Silva Memorial Theater is to be equipped with modern and sophisticated equipment. An artwork preservation unit, seven theatre halls, a new office complex, a new cafeteria and new parking lot will be constructed," the minister said.

The National Arts Gallery will be modernized with a permanent exhibition hall and international level exhibition centre for displaying art and sculptures of artistes.