COLOMBO, July 8 (Xinhuanet) -- The Chinese government has agreed to provide 150 million Yuan (about 17 million US dollars) to Sir Lanka for the construction of the proposed National Arts Theater in capital Colombo.

    The theater with a seating capacity of 1,250 will cover a total of 14,000 square meters of floor area and the project will also include construction of other facilities such as foyer, dressing rooms, restaurants and a car park.

    The letters of Exchange concerning the project were signed here on Thursday by Sun Guoxiang, Chinese ambassador to Sri Lanka and P.B. Jayasundera, secretary to Ministry of Finance.

    Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama said at the signing ceremony that the objective of the project is to offer both local performing artists and foreign troupes of international stature appropriate modern technical and artistic facilities.

    It will also enhance tourism industry in Sri Lanka by attracting tourists who are interested in performing arts, he said.

    He also thanked the Chinese government for its "generous offer"to build the theater in his country. Enditem