News
Theatre worth millions abandoned at Nawagattegama
View(s):Pix and text by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe
A theatre in the Puttalam district constructed in 2014 is in a state of neglect despite millions spent on its construction.
The building was constructed under the Deyata Kirula programme and declared open in 2016 after being named after Simon Nawagattegama, a reputed Sinhala novelist, playwright, radio playwright, and actor.
A tug-of-war between the Divisional Secretary involved in the construction of the building and the Pradeshiya Sabha has resulted in the election. Thear Eight years after the opening, the Pradeshiya Sabha has not taken steps to legally acquire the theatre, and a legal deed has not been prepared for the building, which remains unused, though it could have been used to develop arts and drama in the area.
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- The neglected building
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- Overgrown grass taking root and taking over
Parts of the building have been vandalised and glass has been removed.
A resident of the area P. M. Richard said that this project once benefited children, helping them hone their theatrical talents, though jungle has now crept in.
The Nawagattegama Divisional Secretary K.D.A. Kerewgoda said that its ownership is with the Pradeshiya sabha since 2016, but the deeds are not clear.
Pradeshiya sabha Secretary Nandani Aberatne responding said that, although the divisional secretary claims that there were letters exchanged, no such thing has happened.
She said that the land does not have a clear deed and therefore they cannot accept it.
“If the building is handed over properly, we are willing to take it over” she said.
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