Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre
Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
51 reviews
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Rohan A L F
Gampaha, Sri Lanka153 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
The Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) – Mahinda Rajapakse Theatre is a fully equipped sate of the art performance centre, meant for large scale theatrical productions. The theatre consists of two venues for performances, which includes the main auditorium and an open air amphitheater.
Situated in the heart of Colombo city, this modern architectural masterpiece facilitates easy access for both local and foreign producers. The Theatre is also surrounded by several five Star Hotels and other commercial establishments, like ODEL, the Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct etc.
The ease of access and the other facilities in the area ensures that foreign, local producers and artistes are given the prime opportunity to promote their work financially and artistically. Hence, the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaska Theatre becomes a solid body for bringing in foreign investment to the economy and will play a vital role in promoting tourism in Sri Lanka
Situated in the heart of Colombo city, this modern architectural masterpiece facilitates easy access for both local and foreign producers. The Theatre is also surrounded by several five Star Hotels and other commercial establishments, like ODEL, the Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct etc.
The ease of access and the other facilities in the area ensures that foreign, local producers and artistes are given the prime opportunity to promote their work financially and artistically. Hence, the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaska Theatre becomes a solid body for bringing in foreign investment to the economy and will play a vital role in promoting tourism in Sri Lanka
Written November 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr. Dharshana Weerakoon
Gampaha, Sri Lanka531 contributions
Oct 2016 • Family
The Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre (often known simply as Nelum Pokuna Theatre; previously the National Performing Arts Theatre, prior to naming at the opening ceremony) is a performing arts centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The theatre opened on 15 December 201.
The theatre is also surrounded by several five star hotels and other commercial establishments, making the venue an ideal location for international gatherings.
The theatre is also surrounded by several five star hotels and other commercial establishments, making the venue an ideal location for international gatherings.
Written November 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malraj B
Kandana, Sri Lanka281 contributions
Sep 2015 • Family
i had the opportunity of witnessing a great band show organized by the eastern and western bands of the st bridgets convent. the view from our seats were very good and clear. we absolutely loved the stages going up and down.the seats were very comfortable and each seat had its exclusive views.
Written October 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darshana Ratnayake
Amman, Jordan1,852 contributions
Sep 2019 • Business
Great place to visit in colombo. Can get many photos. The biggest and the state of art theater in sri lanka. Has a very big car park.
Stage is very modern. Has good sounds. Can hear anywhere in the theater. Three floors. Built as a opera theater. Very comfortable. Water do not allow to bring inside.
Stage is very modern. Has good sounds. Can hear anywhere in the theater. Three floors. Built as a opera theater. Very comfortable. Water do not allow to bring inside.
Written September 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Umang A
Mumbai, India722 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
This place is heart of the performing arts in Sri Lanka. Located in the city center , recently opened with all modern amenities.
Written April 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vachintha Piyadasa
Colombo, Sri Lanka1,835 contributions
Oct 2018 • Family
The well equipped, state of the art performance center could undoubtedly be said as the best theatre of the island. It was built in 2011 and due its elegant outlook and unique design, it has become somewhat an iconic structure of Colombo ever since. The building spreads over a massive 14,000 square feet with an enormous on-premise car park which facilitates parking for about 500 vehicles. The theatre is located in the heart of Colombo, surround by a few 5 star hotels and some key commercial establishments. This definitely could be said as a true architectural masterpiece.
Written November 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steven Paul
Bengaluru, India651 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
Beautifully structured Theater. It is shaped in the form of a Lotus flower. From outside the structure was very imposing and nice to look at. The theater can accommodate about 1000 people. The entrance to the theater is also very imposing, security is very strict. The grounds around are large and well maintained it can accommodate more than 200 cars in its parking lot.
Written November 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Titus D
Sri Lanka6,910 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
The inspiration for the architecture of the building got from the 12th-century Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) in Polonnaruwa, made by King Parakramabahu the Great. Polonnaruwa's Nelum Pokuna is shaped as an eight-petaled lotus flower.
China showed willingness to construct a cultural theatre in Colombo, in memory of Ex-President Chandrika Kumaratunga's late husband Vijaya Kumaratunga who was a popular actor. The construction began in 2006 and took four years to build and completed in early 2011.
The total estimated cost of the project is LKR 3080 million. Government of the People's Republic of China offered LKR 2430 million.
It covers an floor area of more than 14,000 square metres. The theatre has ultra modern facilities such as an auditorium with 1,288 seats, a library, and training facilities. There are two types of main auditoriums namely the indoor and Open air theatre. It has the ability to convert the front steps into an additional open-air theatre making it as the 3rd one. Nelum Pokun is a very impressive structure having excellent facilities and it is great venue. Remarkable conference facilities are also available here.
The 690-square-metre moving stage in the auditorium includes the ability to raise and lower the orchestra pit to and from stage level to 5 ½ feet up or down.. There are facilities to conduct educational and research activities.
Nelum Pokuna is a lovely attraction and a land mark to the Colombo city with an unique shape of architecture.
You should go in and have a look and you will be amazed. The look from outside is not a match to its inside lush extravagant outfit.
Nelum Pokuna in Sinhala means “the Lotus Pond” in English. It was called prior to naming it officially as “National Performing Arts Theatre”.
It was ceremonially opened by Sri Lankan Ex-President Mahinda Rajapakse and China's Vice President of the Chinese Republican Committee, Sang Chiang on the 15th of December 2011. Lanka popular and high ranked artistes, such as Jayantha Chandrasiri, Rohana Weerasinghe and Pandith Amaradeva as singers and Channa Wijewardena (as dancer) performed at the opening ceremony. A Chinese opera was also shown on the opening. The Chinese opera depicted the story of fourth-century Chinese-Buddhist monk Fa-Hsien's travels to Sri Lanka. Both performances used the Seda Mawatha concept, incorporating both film and drama. The performances for public started in the early 2012.
In November 2013, first symphony orchestra concert was shown by the Commonwealth Festival Orchestra, with 87 musicians from the UK, India and the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka, conducted by James Ross. The Nelum Pokuna Theatre was the site of the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2013.
The quality of the performers was enhanced by the great acoustics of theater and so the music was really good. Nelum Pokuna is located in a strategic place in the heart of Colombo where 3 star, 5 star hotels, shopping malls and commercial establishments are not far away from this point. Therefore the foreign delegates could have their conferences, discussions or gatherings here as it is situated in shorter distances to their lodgings.
The seats are very well cushioned and fairly broad giving much comfort when seated. The leg space is also great. There is ample parking area for 500 vehicles and do not have to worry about having to look for such places and avoids walking from there to the Nelum Pokuna.
It also make tourists happy as some important attractions are at a walking distances to the Nelum Pokuna. They are Art Gallery, Viharamahadevi Park, National Museum, War Memorial and the Town Hall.
Nelum Pokuna is managed by the Military personnel, at-least providing an excellent security. When I went inside the premises along with a friend, one army person came to me and informed to go towards the office direction. In that place, an army lady came to us and took us inside of the Hall. It was fabulous. Taking of photos inside the auditorium is not allowed. She allowed me to take photos when I showed her my visiting card as Level 6 Trip Advisor Contributor. Even she told me to go to the stage to take snaps.
You can surf the Nelum Pokuna web to check for performances and their timings. Both locals and the tourists could get benefit from the performances done here.
It's a massive step up, considering Sri Lanka didn't have a large-scale theatre halls before. You were not allowed to take in and food or water bottles into the theater
to avoid people dropping crumbs and wrappers and make a mess of things.
All in all, Nelum Pokuna is a must to Sri Lanka to see performances of arts with a quality audio and with moving sub stages.I recommend you strongly to visit the place.
China showed willingness to construct a cultural theatre in Colombo, in memory of Ex-President Chandrika Kumaratunga's late husband Vijaya Kumaratunga who was a popular actor. The construction began in 2006 and took four years to build and completed in early 2011.
The total estimated cost of the project is LKR 3080 million. Government of the People's Republic of China offered LKR 2430 million.
It covers an floor area of more than 14,000 square metres. The theatre has ultra modern facilities such as an auditorium with 1,288 seats, a library, and training facilities. There are two types of main auditoriums namely the indoor and Open air theatre. It has the ability to convert the front steps into an additional open-air theatre making it as the 3rd one. Nelum Pokun is a very impressive structure having excellent facilities and it is great venue. Remarkable conference facilities are also available here.
The 690-square-metre moving stage in the auditorium includes the ability to raise and lower the orchestra pit to and from stage level to 5 ½ feet up or down.. There are facilities to conduct educational and research activities.
Nelum Pokuna is a lovely attraction and a land mark to the Colombo city with an unique shape of architecture.
You should go in and have a look and you will be amazed. The look from outside is not a match to its inside lush extravagant outfit.
Nelum Pokuna in Sinhala means “the Lotus Pond” in English. It was called prior to naming it officially as “National Performing Arts Theatre”.
It was ceremonially opened by Sri Lankan Ex-President Mahinda Rajapakse and China's Vice President of the Chinese Republican Committee, Sang Chiang on the 15th of December 2011. Lanka popular and high ranked artistes, such as Jayantha Chandrasiri, Rohana Weerasinghe and Pandith Amaradeva as singers and Channa Wijewardena (as dancer) performed at the opening ceremony. A Chinese opera was also shown on the opening. The Chinese opera depicted the story of fourth-century Chinese-Buddhist monk Fa-Hsien's travels to Sri Lanka. Both performances used the Seda Mawatha concept, incorporating both film and drama. The performances for public started in the early 2012.
In November 2013, first symphony orchestra concert was shown by the Commonwealth Festival Orchestra, with 87 musicians from the UK, India and the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka, conducted by James Ross. The Nelum Pokuna Theatre was the site of the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2013.
The quality of the performers was enhanced by the great acoustics of theater and so the music was really good. Nelum Pokuna is located in a strategic place in the heart of Colombo where 3 star, 5 star hotels, shopping malls and commercial establishments are not far away from this point. Therefore the foreign delegates could have their conferences, discussions or gatherings here as it is situated in shorter distances to their lodgings.
The seats are very well cushioned and fairly broad giving much comfort when seated. The leg space is also great. There is ample parking area for 500 vehicles and do not have to worry about having to look for such places and avoids walking from there to the Nelum Pokuna.
It also make tourists happy as some important attractions are at a walking distances to the Nelum Pokuna. They are Art Gallery, Viharamahadevi Park, National Museum, War Memorial and the Town Hall.
Nelum Pokuna is managed by the Military personnel, at-least providing an excellent security. When I went inside the premises along with a friend, one army person came to me and informed to go towards the office direction. In that place, an army lady came to us and took us inside of the Hall. It was fabulous. Taking of photos inside the auditorium is not allowed. She allowed me to take photos when I showed her my visiting card as Level 6 Trip Advisor Contributor. Even she told me to go to the stage to take snaps.
You can surf the Nelum Pokuna web to check for performances and their timings. Both locals and the tourists could get benefit from the performances done here.
It's a massive step up, considering Sri Lanka didn't have a large-scale theatre halls before. You were not allowed to take in and food or water bottles into the theater
to avoid people dropping crumbs and wrappers and make a mess of things.
All in all, Nelum Pokuna is a must to Sri Lanka to see performances of arts with a quality audio and with moving sub stages.I recommend you strongly to visit the place.
Written March 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thusitha J
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka78 contributions
Dec 2015 • Family
(Lotus Pond) This building is by the Chinese.This looks like an amazing, Chinese design.Very nice theatre. Nice place with a good view of there. This is situated near Viharamahadevi park. Lovely theatre. Very good attraction in Colombo. Ample parking is available.
Written December 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SEs
London, UK25,876 contributions
Jun 2015 • Friends
This building is by the Chinese Government. A very Chinese looking modern building.A grand theatre for Sri Lanka. The inside of the building looks new.
Written August 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingNelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre:
- Colombo City Tour from Kalutara (From $60.00)
- Full-Day Colombo City Tour (Private Car) (From $80.00)
- Glimpse of Sri Lanka (From $320.00)
- Colombo City Tour (From $51.40)
- Colombo City Tour (From $60.00)
- Hotels near Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre:
- (0.40 mi) Bunkyard Hostels
- (0.20 mi) Srilax Stay
- (0.20 mi) Mrs Pepperpots
- (0.45 mi) Paradise Road Tintagel Colombo
- (0.53 mi) Jetwing Colombo Seven
- Restaurants near Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre:
- (0.08 mi) Upali's
- (0.11 mi) Ponnusamy Chettinad Non-Veg
- (0.13 mi) Kang's Kitchen
- (0.16 mi) Noteworthy Cafe
- (0.17 mi) The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Cinnamon Gardens
Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre Information
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