Namel Weeramuni, the well-known dramatist and theatre personality, in an open letter to President Ranil Wickremesinghe who is also the Minister of Finance, has proposed the launch of a National Lottery with tickets priced at Rs. 20 each to support Thespian activity including playwrights, actors, actresses and connected people who he says are currently in a state of penury.
Urging that of all the art forms in the country, “theatre is the most uncared (for) and neglected,” he has suggested that this situation be corrected with the proposed lottery which will not be a charge on the government and also be a tax revenue source.
He has proposed that the lottery be named Nataya Setha and run by the National Lotteries Board as are other lotteries at present. The funds so generated can be managed by a unit within the Cultural Affairs Ministry, he has said. He has made the further point that there is an Aesthetic University in Colombo promoting theatre and the arts. Further, theatre and arts are a part of the school curriculum.
In the field of theatre, what is needed “is encouragement and the availability of finance and freedom,” Weeramuni has said.
He cites the example of the street theatre created by the late GK Hattotuvegama as an example of the social benefits that can accrue with state support for drama. He and his wife, Malini, founded the Punchi Theatre is Borella following their return to the country from the UK where Weeramuni practised law and, while based in the UK, was of immense help and support to visiting drama groups from Sri Lanka.He was honoured for his services to drama by the award of a degree of Doctor of Philosophy (honoris causa) by the Kelaniya University.