John de Silva theatre to be demolished to make way for Mahinda Rajapaksa theatre

Monday, 05 December 2011

The Lotus Pond – Mahinda Rajapaksa Visual Arts Theater built with Chinese aid is to be declared open on the 15th and authorities are looking at removing the John de Silva theatre that is located next to it since the old theatre has a negative impact on the image of the new theatre.

The canteen of the John de Silva theatre was razed to the ground by a group of military personnel a few days ago as the first step.

The seven storey Mahinda Rajapaksa theatre was built by a Chinese construction company. Several artists linked to the President has advised him that there was no necessity for the John de Silva theatre since the new theatre has several theatre halls.

A senior artist who gave us the information said it was likely that the John de Silva theatre would be demolished shortly and a drama that was scheduled to go on the boards yesterday had been cancelled.