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The imposing statue of Gajaman Nona, erected at Nonagama, is a fitting tribute to the great 18th-century poet of Ruhuna, who made such a big contribution to Sinhala literature.
However, I was most distressed to note, on returning from a recent trip to Kataragama, that the statue is in a sad state of neglect. It has been in this state for years, according to people in the area.
Several letters have appeared in the newspapers, drawing attention to the stateof the statue, but the Southern Provincial Council’s Cultural Ministry, which is responsible for maintaining it, has done nothing about it. If funds are required, the council should call for public donations. I am sure there will be a very good response from the public.
I hope this letter will catch the eye of the Chief Minister of the Southern Provincial Council. We hope to see Gajaman Nona restored to her original grandeur. It would be nice to see the restoration work completed before the poet’s death anniversary, which falls on December 15.
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