Chinese Government provides $7.2 million grant for the National Performing Arts Theater Construction Project (Linked to Record ID#71571)

Project narrative

On January 1, 2004, Chinese Government and the Government of Sri Lanka signed a $7,263,139 grant agreement for the National Performing Arts Theater Project (captured via Record ID#33230). Then, on July 8, 2004, the Chinese Government and the Government of Sri Lanka signed an RMB 100 million ($10,857,433) interest-free loan agreement for the National Performing Arts Theater Project (captured via Record ID#71571). The loan proceeds were drawn from three Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreements (ETCAs) worth RMB 20 million, RMB 30 million, and RMB 50 million that were signed on February 23, 2000, July 30, 2022, and February 11, 2003, respectively. This loan achieved a 100% disbursement rate. Its amount outstanding was RMB 100 million as of June 30, 2022. The objective of the project was to construct a well-equipped modern theater in Colombo. The Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre (Sinhala: නෙළුම් පොකුණ මහින්ද රාජපක්ෂ රඟහල) — now known as Nelum Pokuna and previously known as the National Performing Arts Theatre — is a performing arts centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Yanjian Group was the contractor responsible for project implementation. Its construction began on May 23, 2008. The theatre opened on December 15, 2011. The building spreads over 14,000 square meters of floor area. The theatre is equipped with ultra-modern facilities such as an auditorium with 1,288 seats, a library, and training facilities. The building features two permanent theaters—the main auditorium and an open-air theatre—and the ability to convert the front steps into an additional open-air theatre. The 690-square-meter moving stage in the auditorium includes the ability to raise and lower the orchestra pit to and from stage level. There are facilities to conduct educational and research activities. Parking for 500 vehicles is also available.