RUZAIK FAROOK
COLOMBO — Ali Kebriaei Zadeh, Cultural Director of the Iran Cultural Center, paid a courtesy call on Dr. D.M.S. Dissanayake, Director General of the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation, on Monday, May 25, at the Sawsiripaya, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo.
During the meeting, Ali Kebriaei Zadeh stated that Iran and Sri Lanka have maintained friendly relations for centuries, based on shared interests as well as similar social and cultural values, including the importance of family institutions and religious communities. He emphasized that the two countries possess significant capacities for cooperation in various fields, particularly in modern arts such as theatre and cinema. He noted that these capacities, together with the mutual respect and interest observed between the people of the two countries, can provide a strong foundation for meaningful activities and initiatives.
He further briefed on Iran’s music, film, and cinema industries and stated that hundreds of cultural programmes, including theatre performances, book launches, film review sessions, and other artistic events, are held every day in Tehran, placing the city among the world’s leading cultural capitals in terms of the number and scale of cultural events.
He also announced that the Iran Cultural Center is ready to cooperate with the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation.
Director General Dr. D.M.S. Dissanayake then explained the activities and programmes of the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation and proposed organizing joint theatre festival programmes between Sri Lanka and Iran. He also suggested that the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation could participate in Iranian cultural programmes held in Sri Lanka and assured that the Foundation would provide theatre facilities, publicity, and other necessary support.
During the discussion, Ali Kebriaei Zadeh and Dr. D.M.S. Dissanayake exchanged views on ways to strengthen bilateral cultural relations between the two countries.
Maneesha Dukgannarala, Assistant Director (Education, Research and Conservation), Ali Reza Shahini, and several senior officials were also present at the meeting.
