JANAKARALIYA LAUNCHES
Free Performing Arts Diploma Course
The Janakaraliya Cultural Foundation has launched a diploma course to methodically impart professional skills in drama and cinema performance (including tele dramas) script writing and direction. The resource persons of the programme are Parakrama Niriella, Sudath Mahadivulwewa, Jerome de Silva, Ravindra Guruge, Rajitha Dissanayake, Dr. Saumya Liyanage, Prasannajith Abeysooriya, Dr. Kanchuka Dharmasiri, Tracy Holsinger, Jill Alone (An Israeli film and drama personality) Prof. Sinniah Mounaguru, S. Sthyaseelan, Nelum Kooragalarachchi, Santha Bandara Samarathunga, Dinushika Senavirathne and senior members of the Janakaraliya Drama Group. Training will be given to four teams each comprising 25 persons from Chilaw, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Jaffna. In each location, there will be 10 five-day workshops. With the view to enhance, the knowledge of participants there will be sessions to enjoy and appraise aesthetic artistic creations and stimulate dialogues on them. As the programme ends, the four groups from Chilaw, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Jaffna will produce four dramas and four telefilms. The free diploma course will be directed by leading drama and cinema personality Parakrama Niriella. During the workshops, rehearsals, and during the drama and film productions, meals and accommodation will be arranged free of charge. Janakaraliya Cultural Foundation, a Cooperating Member of International Theatre Institute affiliated to the UNESCO, organizes the project. Janakaraliya has been continuously undertaking to develop inclusive cultural practices in the Sri Lankan society for the past sixteen years. The German Technical Cooperation (GIZ) assists the project with financial support.