Artistes carry peace message through Adishtana Pooja
Shirley WIJESINGHE
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Artistes participating in the Adishtana Pooja yesterday. Picture by Rukmal Gamage |
The Adishtana Pooja by Sri Lankan artistes aimed at carrying the message of peace and harmony, goodwill and brotherhood and principally organised to clear the air regarding the ongoing humanitarian operations in the North to their protesting South Indian counterparts was held yesterday at Torrington Square with the participation of a large gathering of film and tele-stars and personalities in the art field.
The main objective was to create a true picture of the ongoing humanitarian operations in the North to rescue the innocent civilians trapped in the grip of LTTE terror, veteran actor Ravindra Randeniya, an organiser of the event stated.
A letter was also submitted to South Indian Cinema Artistes and Technicians through the High Commissioner of India following the Adishtana Pooja.
Highlighting the main objective of the event, Randeniya said artistes who have gathered there yearn for a peaceful country. This is the hope and aspiration of the people of this country.
He said whatever community be they Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and Burgher, had been under threat by the LTTE terrorists’ acts for more than three decades without exception. Today the artistes have raised their voice on their behalf.
There is no country which had been under the threat of terrorists’ cruel acts with assassinations of political leaders and veterans from all the fields, he recalled the bitter past where innocents suffered.
A message signed by artistes stressed that there is no genocide practised against innocent un-armed Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka.
Therefore it is highly unjustifiable to interpret the current humanitarian operation to liberate the Northern Tamils from the clutches of a dictatorial outfit as a kind of genocide against Tamil population.
The letter also explained the history of the LTTE and failed attempts of all Governments to negotiate peace with the outfit.
Courtesy : Daily News
India wins the first ODI against England
India won the first One Day International match against England by 158 runs.
The England captain invited the Indian captain to bat first where India made a thriving 387 runs at the end of the 50 overs for the loss of only five wickets.
The two opening batsmen G Gambhir and V Sehwag added scored 51 and 85 runs.
England first wicket fell in the fourth over and they could only reach a score of 229 for the loss of all wickets in 37.4 overs.
India’s Z Khan took 03 wickets in his 7 overs while England’s best figure was S R Patel who took two wickets in his 9 overs.
The man of the match award was given to Yuvaraj Singh who played a magnificent 138 in 78 balls.
Courtesy: Lankapuvath
England team plays first ODI of the series against India today
The first One Day International (ODI) cricket match against India and England commenced today at Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Ground, Rajkot today (14).
The England captain won the toss and invited the Indian team to bat first. India at the end of the 35th over has scored 225 for the loss of 2 wickets.
The opening two Indian batsmen Sehwag and G Gambhir were balled out by Patel while S K Raina and Yuvaraj Singh remains in the wicket with 38 runs and 41runs each.
Courtesy: Lankapuvath
Artists respond to concerns of Tamil Nadu counterparts
In response to the agitation campaign launched by the South Indian counterparts, Sri Lankan artists yesterday (13) conducted a peaceful demonstration and an “Adishtana Pooja” to show their solidarity with the Government of Sri Lanka in its mission to liberate the country from the clutches of terrorism.A large gathering of film and tele-stars and personalities in the art field participated at the occasion held at Torrington Square.
Explaining the objective of holding such an event, organizer of the event, Ravindra Randeniya said that this event will illuminate the real situation with respect to the ongoing humanitarian mission in Sri Lanka and make it clear to everyone that the operations are carried out to liberate the Northern masses from the tyranny of the LTTE.
A letter was also submitted to South Indian Cinema Artistes and Technicians through the High Commissioner of India following the Adishtana Pooja.
The participants of the event were of the view that South Indian artists are misled by pro-LTTE elements and stressed that the ground reality in Sri Lanka is furthest from the notions they hold.
They also highlighted that all the previous attempts made by the Government to find a solution to the national issue through negotiations with the LTTE failed on account of the intransigence of that organization and in particular a pernicious tendency to renege on agreements and abusing such periods to recuperate, rearm and recruit.
Courtesy: Government Information Department
President returns to the island
President Mahinda Rajapaksa returned to the island today (14) after successfully completing an official visit to New Delhi, India to attend the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation ( BIMSTEC) summit.
The Sri Lankan President and six other Heads of State met in New Delhi on November 13 to discuss combating of terrorism, transnational organized crime and illicit drug trafficking between seven member countries, President’s Media Unit said in a statement.
During his visit to New Delhi President Rajapaksa held bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
Courtesy: Government Information Department
