Bill to set up Amaradeva Centre gazetted

The Government has gazette regulations dated June 14 to set up the Amaradeva Aesthetic and Research Centre at Battaramulla in memory of the late Pandit W.D. Amaradeva.
The legendary musical icon died on November 3, 2016 and on August 28, 2017 President Maithripala Sirisena laid the foundation stone for a government-funded centre costing Rs. 200 million at a 120 perch UDA land near Ape Gama at Battaramulla.
According to the bill, the Centre will be equipped with a research laboratory, an archive, a library and a museum.
The Centre’s main objectives are (a) to secure and archive the instruments of the Centre; (b) facilitate research activities of graduate and postgraduate courses on aesthetic studies; and (c) to conduct workshops, lectures and appreciation programmes or any other function to promote the style of music of the late Pandit W.D. Amaradeva
“The objects of the Centre shall be carried out in such manner so as not to create any conflict between the work of the Centre and any work being carried out simultaneously by any Ministry or Department of the Government or of any Provincial Council or the  ‘Amaradeva Foundation’,” the bill states.
The Board of Management of the Centre comprises ex-officio members - Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education or his representative; Secretary to the Ministry to which the Centre for the time being assigned to or his representative; Director General of the Department of National Archives or his nominee; Chairman of the National Library and Documentation Services Board or nominee; Director of the Department of National Museums or nominee;  and the Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs or nominee. Nominated or appointed members are a member appointed by the President; a member appointed by the Prime Minister; and family members of late W. D. Amaradeva namely Wimala Amaradeva, Ranjana Amaradeva, Priyanvada Amaradeva and Subhanie Amaradeva. -- ENDS -