Nelum Pokuna - From China with Love to Sri Lanka

[Lankan Ranger]

Nelum Pokuna - From China with Love to Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday opened the country's first state-of the-art Performing Arts Theatre - the Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) Theatre gifted by the People's Republic of China. The Rs 3,600 million theatre is poised to be a catalyst for a revival of the arts in the region and bring renewed vitality to take Performing Arts to greater heights.

The opening of the theatre symbolized the centuries old friendship between China and Sri Lanka. President Rajapaksa unveiled a plaque to open the theatre in the presence of Chinese Special Envoy Zhang Meiying, Vice Chairperson of the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference of the People's Republic of China.

The guests were conducted to the theatre's main auditorium in a colourful procession consisting of over 500 traditional dancers. The first dance titled The voyage to heartland produced by artistes Jayantha Chandrasiri, Rohana Weerasinghe and Channa Wijewardena was staged soon after the speeches by the President and the Chinese Special Envoy.

This drama revolved on Chinese monk Fa Hsien who travelled from China to Sri Lanka in the 4th Century in search of Theravada Buddhism. It was an attempt to show a fraction of his venture to search Vinaya Pitakaya, a part of the Thripitakaya.

A Chinese troupe staged a special show titled Romance on 'Marine Silk Road' which had won the best artistic works prize by Publicity Department of CPC central committee, Special Osmanthus Prize of Guangxi Dramas and Operas Expo and Copper Drum Award of Guangxi People's Government Arts Creation.

This drama depicted the ancient China marine silk route leading to the west underlying the context of the love story between Da Pu and Ah Ban while displaying the friendship with Marisa, daughter of the king of Sri Lanka. This theatre can seat over 1,300 people in the main auditorium with an adjustable stage and best- in- class theatrical and sound equipment suitable for broadway shows. It is designed as the Nelum Pokuna or (Lotus Pond) of Polonnaruwa.

This theatre which is dedicated to showcasing the best of local, regional and national artistes will become a springboard to achieve excellence in their desired discipline. It consists of a main theatre, two mini theatres, operational units, meeting and dressing halls. An underground car park has also been constructed for artistes and visitors.

Sri Lanka News | Online edition of Daily News - Lakehouse Newspapers

 

[Obambam]

 

[Lankan Ranger]

China has always stood for national integrity - Sri Lankan President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that China had always stood for the strength, national integrity and freedom of Sri Lanka.

He added that China had presented Sri Lanka with a number of precious and long lasting gifts such as the BMICH, the Supreme Court Complex, the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant and the Hambantota International Harbour. Delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the ‘Nelum Pokuna Performing Arts Theatre’ in Colombo, President Rajapaksa went on to say that the new theatre symbolised the end of the tragedy that Sri Lanka went through for 30 years.

“Sri Lanka has passed the era of tears and sorrow and reached the era of rejoicing and happiness,” he said. The new theatre with a seating capacity of 1,388 on three levels is a gift from China to Sri Lanka. Equipped with the most modern and high tech equipment, it is believed to have few equals in South Asia.

‘This new theatre symbolises the new era of Sri Lanka as well as the newly strengthened friendship with China. Sri Lankan nation is used to thinking big. China was the eastern end of the ‘Silk Road’ in ancient times and Sri Lanka was situated midway. The cultural, religious and trade ties between the two nations go back several thousand of years and have reached their peak today,” he said.

There was a time when China invented printing technology, Sri Lanka created a religious literature. When China constructed the Great Wall, Sri Lankan sculptors carved the statue of Samadhi of Lord Buddha, he said.

The relationship between the two countries was further strengthened after diplomatic ties were initiated in 1957 and reached dizzyheights when the Rubber – Rice Pact was signed.

The Nelum Pokuna Theatre will contribute to developing and expanding the aesthetic abilities of the young generation and will also help to take Sri Lankan performing arts to the international level, he said.

President Rajapaksa said he expected that the day would soon come when artistes from Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Far East perform at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre.

The Vice Chairman of the National Committee of China, Chang Mei Ying said bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and China had been strengthened with the opening of the Nelum Pokuna, Performing Arts Theatre.

“Sri Lanka has a great future as a durable peace has dawned after 30 years of war and I have no doubt that people in Sri Lanka will use their new found peace to take their great country to a new era of opportunities and progress,” she said.

She added that the two countries boasted of a time honoured friendship and under President Rajapaksa the trade, diplomatic and cultural ties had gone from strength to strength. It will remain that way in the years to come despite any transitions and differences that may emerge in the international arena, she said.

There was a large and distinguished gathering at the opening ceremony -- including ministers, MPS, artistes, public servants and corporate heads.

Daily Mirror E-Paper

 

[Sasquatch]

Your one of the best posters On here Lankan, I will Visit Sri Lanka Soon .

 

[samv]

Thanks China!!

Chinese actor with some locale artistes at the Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) Mahinda Rajapaksa theatre, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Chinse artistes at the Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) Mahinda Rajapaksa theatre, Colombo, Sri Lanka

 

[samv]

 

[samv]

 

[samv]