Two ministers of the Government recently faced strong public protest during a visit to the Wariyapola area to open a Rs. 250 million cultural centre.

The facility at Walpola, Bamunakotuwa was arranged to be opened by Minister Vidura Wickramanayaka and State Minister D.B. Herath on 11 March. However, people had claimed that it had been ‘opened’ on several occasions previously.

According to reports, riot Police were called for the ceremony to continue, with a group of artistes opening it as Wickramanayaka had arrived late.

People had reportedly stated that the money spent on such useless ceremonies could have been utilised to renovate the dilapidated Mahakeliya-Katupotha road that gave access to the cultural centre.