Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre

Design and features

Detail of the facade

The architecture of the building is inspired by the 12th-century Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) in Polonnaruwa.^[6] Built by King Parakramabahu the Great, Polonnaruwa's Nelum Pokuna is shaped as a stylised eight-petalled lotus flower.^[4]
The total estimated cost of the project is LKR 3080 million.^[7] Government of the People's Republic of China provided LKR 2430 million out of the total cost of the building.^[6]
The building spreads over 14,000 square metres of floor area.^[6]
The theatre is equipped with ultra modern facilities such as an auditorium with 1,288 seats, a library, and training facilities.^[1] The building features two permanent theatres—the main auditorium and an open-air theatre—and the ability to convert the front steps into an additional open-air theatre.^[4]

The 690-square-metre moving stage in the auditorium includes the ability to raise and lower the orchestra pit to and from stage level.^[4] There are facilities to conduct educational and research activities. Parking for 500 vehicles, is also available.^[1]

Building History

The National Performing Arts Theatre's construction began in 2006 and took four years to build.^[7] The theatre's construction was completed around early 2011^[6] and it was opened in December 2011. It was ceremonially opened by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse and China's Vice President of the Chinese Republican Committee, Sang Chiang.^[5]

Notable shows, productions, and events

The Nelum Pokuna Theatre has shows, productions, and other bookings scheduled through September 2012.^[4]
For opening night, an opera was produced by leading Sri Lanka artistes, such as Jayantha Chandrasiri, Rohana Weerasingha and Channa Wijewardena. A Chinese opera was also produced upon opening. The Chinese opera depicted the story of fourth-century Chinese-Buddhist monk Fa-Hsien's travels to Sri Lanka. Both performances employed the Seda Mawatha concept, incorporating both film and drama.^[8]
In November 2013, the Theatre hosted its first symphony orchestra concert, by the Commonwealth Festival Orchestra, with 87 musicians from the UK, India and the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka, conducted by James Ross.^[9]
The venue was initially chosen to host the ABU Radio Song Festival 2014 on 23 May 2014,^[10] but was later moved to the Stein Studios, in Colombo.^[11]
The Nelum Pokuna Theatre was the site of the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2013.^{[citation needed]}