The National People’s Power (NPP) presidential candidate, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has pledged to give the arts and cultural advancement top priority if elected. Dissanayake emphasized the need of reviving cultural participation in Sri Lanka and emphasized the necessity of increasing public accessibility to artistic pursuits.
Dissanayake drew attention to how little Sri Lankans currently have access to cultural experiences like going to plays, movies, or reading books. He talked about the closing or repurposing of once-vibrant local theaters and cinemas, drawing on his own memories of these establishments.
He presented a picture of a vibrantly culturally diverse society where people are happy to engage with books, live plays, or the newest film in line. He pledged to progressively construct the infrastructure required to sustain cultural activities and to give artists and creators assistance, even in the face of economic constraints.