The construction of Sri Lanka’s National Performing Arts Theatre; the largest in South East Asia is nearing completion and is scheduled to be opened soon.

The Auditorium has three floors and seating capacity for 1288 spectators. It also has an electronically movable and changeable screen, advanced technical lighting capabilities and sound systems. It is equipped with a special door which could prevent the spread of a fire.

The Centre has two open air theatres and one indoor theatre. Therefore, three performances can be staged simultaneously.

One of the open air Theatres is on the 5th floor with a view of the Colombo City. The other open air theatre has a view of the garden area in the Centre.

The theatre also has rest rooms, make up rooms and training rooms for the artistes. Nearly 350 vehicles could be parked in the ground floor while the nearby Viharamaha Devi Park could be used for this purpose. This is being built in the shape of the Lotus Pond in Polonnaruva and will be decorated with sculptures and art belong to the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruva eras.

The five storied Theatre is built on a land area of 2.17 hectares and the Centre covers a space of 14,000 square meters, at a cost of Rs.3, 080 million funded by China.

The construction work is being carried out by the Yang Jiyan Company of China, and the theatre has been designed by the Chinese in accordance with the architectural designs and suggestions provided by Sri Lankan Engineers, designers and architects.