International Cultural Center for Thoppigala

An International Cultural Center will be established in the recently liberated Thoppigala area in the Eastern Province to facilitate the preservation of archaeological sites and objects in the region. In accordance the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has sought the cabinet approval for a project proposal in this regard.Minister of Cultural Affairs Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said this at a media briefing in Anuradhapura while on a tour to inspect the current progress of the projects undertaken by the Ministry.

Minister while explaining the structure of the proposed Cultural center said that the establishing of this new center will not effect or disturb the natural landscape of the area. Subsequently with the aim of attracting both local and foreign tourists, the Ministry has taken steps to direct the relevant authorities for the development of other infrastructural facilities in the area.

“Steps will also be taken to conserve archaeological sites and objects in the area on parallel with the project,” Minister Abeywardena said. The Ministry will also construct a Dance and Arts Institution for the youth in the area under this project, he added.By now the Government has initiated several massive infrastructure development projects in the Eastern Province which would largely contribute to the fast tracking of other indented projects to bring normalcy to the province.