News
Namel Weeramuni proposes National Lottery to support theatre and drama
Namel Weeramuni, the well-known dramatist and theatre personality, in an open letter to President Ranil Wickremesinghe who is also the Minister of Finance, has proposed the launch of a National Lottery with tickets priced at Rs. 20 each to support Thespian activity including playwrights, actors, actresses and connected people who he says are currently in a state of penury.
Urging that of all the art forms in the country, “theatre is the most uncared (for) and neglected,” he has suggested that this situation be corrected with the proposed lottery which will not be a charge on the government and also be a tax revenue source.
He has proposed that the lottery be named Nataya Setha and run by the National Lotteries Board as are other lotteries at present. The funds so generated can be managed by a unit within the Cultural Affairs Ministry, he has said. He has made the further point that there is an Aesthetic University in Colombo promoting theatre and the arts. Further, theatre and arts are a part of the school curriculum.
In the field of theatre, what is needed “is encouragement and the availability of finance and freedom,” Weeramuni has said.
He cites the example of the street theatre created by the late GK Hattotuvegama as an example of the social benefits that can accrue with state support for drama. He and his wife, Malini, founded the Punchi Theatre is Borella following their return to the country from the UK where Weeramuni practised law and, while based in the UK, was of immense help and support to visiting drama groups from Sri Lanka.He was honoured for his services to drama by the award of a degree of Doctor of Philosophy (honoris causa) by the Kelaniya University.
The Pakistan Naval Ship (PNS) Shahjahan which arrived in Colombo on 02nd June 2023 on a two-day official visit, departed the island on 04th June 2023.
By Priyan de Silva
The Election Commission (ECSL) has opposed a move by the government to appoint representatives of the Chairpersons of the Regional Development Committee to monitor local government institutions.
ECSL Chairman Nimal G. Punchihewa told The Island that the government had informed the ECSL of its plan to appoint representatives of the Chairpersons of the Regional Development Committee to monitor the local government bodies and the ECSL had decided to write to the Ministry of Local Government opposing the move, he said. A Chairman of a regional development committee ESD a representative of a particular political party and it would be unfair by other parties for such appointments to be made, the EC Chairman said.
Punchihewa said that the administration of local government institutions could be done through Municipal Commissioners and Divisional Secretaries.Many political parties had complained against the government move, he said.
By Saman Indrajith
The JVP would file a fresh application before the Supreme Court against the government for not holding the local council polls, JVP MP Vijitha Herath said yesterday.Addressing the media at the party headquarters in Pelawatte, Herath said that his party had ascertained fresh information by invoking the Right to Information Act about the funds needed for the holding of the elections and his party would file another fundamental rights case against those responsible for conducting elections.
“The LG polls were to be held on 09 March. They were postponed until 25 April, and later they were put off indefinitely. The President appoints Governors to the provinces and the local councils are under them. Now, he says no party commands the support of 50 percent of voters.
Is this reason why he is not holding elections? His claim that there are no funds for elections is not acceptable. The Election Commission (EC) has, in a letter to the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, asked for Rs 1,100 million in installments for conducting local government elections. The Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, on 07 March, informed
the EC that the latter’s request had been referred to the Minister of Finance on the same day. But so far the money has not been released. As per a report released by the Treasury, the government revenue was Rs 177,900 million in January this year alone. Of that amount, Rs 156,760 was allocated to government institutions. The Treasury has Rs 21,410 million. In February, the government revenue was at Rs. 271,750 million and of that Rs. 208,620 million was spent. The balance was Rs 63,130 million. In January and February, the Treasury had Rs 84,270 million. These figures have been officially confirmed by a Deputy Treasury Secretary. The EC is seeking only Rs 2,460 million for elections. So, the claim that there is no money for elections is false as per official records. We will submit this information to the Supreme Court when we file a fresh application. We will prove that the government has lied to people,” Herath said.
PNS Shahjahan departs after successful naval exercise
Oil prices rise as Saudi Arabia pledges output cuts – Opec+
Showers in Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and in Galle and Matara districts
-
News6 days agoPolice looking for security guard of Sirisena’s brother
-
News7 days ago
Sri Lankans living abroad can apply for a new passport or renew their passport online from 01 June
-
Latest News6 days ago
Jadeja’s nerveless hitting gifts Chennai Super Kings fifth IPL title
-
Features6 days ago
Sri Lanka’s ignorance matches that of US – II
-
Features6 days ago
President’s efforts require parliamentary support
-
News6 days ago
Six Lankan victims of trafficking repatriated from Myanmar
-
Business6 days ago
Havelock City Mall to be launched
-
Features6 days ago
Excitement galore for Janaka
