History

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History

In 1931 Mr.J.W. Jinendradasa, the principal of Nalanda College that time started a society called "Dramatic Club" at the school to promote the drama skills of the students. As a result several dramas which became very popular that time were produced. 1932 - Nagananda 1942 - Dutugemunu - Mr. J.W. Jinendradasa the principal himself played the main character 1946 - Harishchandra 1955 - Bandhawana 1959 - Ratnawali 1967 - Ipaneli

In 1972 Mrs. Somalatha Subasinghe, a famous actress and a stage director, also a staff member of Nalanda college did rehearsals of the stage plays "Elowa gihin" and "Rattaran" of Prof. Ediriweera Sarathchandra at Nalanda College. In 1982 popular actor, well known as "Kirihami" of "Hatpana" Mr. Wickrama Seneviratne produced dramas such as "Sannaliyane", "Cricket cycle parade" and "Kalu saha dumburu" while he was teaching at Nalanda College.

Then there was a requirement and a high demand for a place where these creations can be shown and rehearsals can be done. Mr. Sugunadasa Athukorala who was the principal of the school from 1962-1982 initiated the plan of Malasekara Theater while the college auditorium was being used to cover the purposes of dramas and other festivals.

Opening

On 23.06.1990 the Malalasekara Theater was declared open by the Minister of Education Mr. Lalith Ethulathmudali and Spokesman Mr. M.H. Mohomed and the guest of honor was Pandith W.D. Amaradewa. First ever event of Malalasekara theater was "Vindana" which contained three stage dramas. Those were, Agni Jala - by Mahesh Kotuwella Kadatura - by Niroshan Illeperuma Ekasiya Panaha - by Sanka Amarajith

Infliction

On 06.04.2006 Malalasekara there was inundated with fire due to a electricity leakage and was completely ruined leaving only the concrete structure. It was a very sad news for all the Nalandians who lives across the world and also for the communities who were benefited by the theater.

Re-construction

Soon after the tragedy while the detection work happening capability tests were done by the University of Moratuwa whether the concrete structure can be used for re-constructions. The principal of Nalanda College Mr. Hemantha Prematilake initiated a fund called "Malalasekara Trust Fund" in order to gather donations to re-build the theater. It was blessed by the OBA and JOBA of Nalanda College and other well wishers. School development fund and parents and students also contributed to this fund while Prof. Tissa Perera and Palitha Samarasinghe, distinguished old Nalandians donated 10 million each to the fund. Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force, old Nalandian Air chief Marshal Gagan Bulathsinhala gave a priceless support by helping out in construction work and his successor old Nalandian Air Vice Marshal Kapila Jayampathi extended that support with the collaboration of Principals Mr. Ranjith Jayasundara and Mr. Tilak Wattuhewa. World famous architect, old Nalandian Mr.Royle Senaratne volunteered to re-design the building to make it an Art of State Theatre.

Re-opening

After 13 years of great effort by so many parties finally the grand opening of re-constructed Malalasekara Theater was held under the patronage of minister of education Mr. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam on 28.02.2019. Malalasekara Theater of Nalanda College is the biggest theater a Sri Lankan school has with modern technology and which is only second to the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapakse theater.