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
Govt reiterates stand on CFA : LTTE must disarm
The Government’s firm stand on the Ceasefire Agreement is unchanged, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said adding there will not be peace negotiations with the LTTE unless it lays down arms and surrenders.
Addressing the media yesterday on the weekly security situation at the MCNS, Government Defence Affairs spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said during the last few days certain elements behind the LTTE proposed a CFA with the LTTE. “This was the normal practice of the LTTE when they were defeated militarily and weakened. They call for peace negotiation to halt the offensive and avoid the Security Forces’ humanitarian mission to liberate uncleared areas.
Our leaders experienced this during the last three decades,” he added. “Whenever the LTTE proposes a CFA, it always ends it with destruction and a calamity to the Government, public and sovereignty of the country,” Minister Rambukwella remarked.
Minister Rambukwella reiterated that the Government categorically rejects any peace negotiation settlement with the LTTE unless the Tigers lay down arms and surrender to Security Forces. “When President Mahinda Rajapaksa took office he immediately extended an invitation for peace negotiations with the LTTE. The President called the LTTE to the negotiation table in Geneva. The CFA was abused by the LTTE in many occasions since then,” the Minister said.
Minister Rambukwella said during the CFA the Jet Liner ship carrying unarmed forces on holiday and a Navy medical team had come under LTTE fire.
A vegetable market too was bombed in Jaffna. 17 Commandos were killed in an attack, then an attempt was made to assassinate the Army Commander finally and Mavilaru sluice gate was attacked to disrupt the daily life of people who depend on farming.
Following these abuses of the CFA by the LTTE, the Government had decided to erase terrorism and liberate civilians from the LTTE clutches. “The East was liberated and the democracy had been restored. The Easterners were allowed the franchise and their political rights restored, the Minister said.
Minister Rambukwella stressed that the North will be liberated and the humanitarian mission will be continued by the Security Forces. The Government has no any intention to negotiate with the LTTE unless it lays down arms and surrender. We embarked on an humanitarian mission in the North and troops are successfully marching forward and are now in the victory of Kilinochchi.
The entire North and our brothers and sisters entrapped in the Tigers’ grip will be liberated in near future. Democracy will be restored in the North as in the East,” he added.
Courtesy : Daily News
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
Govt reiterates stand on CFA : LTTE must disarm
The Government’s firm stand on the Ceasefire Agreement is unchanged, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said adding there will not be peace negotiations with the LTTE unless it lays down arms and surrenders.
Addressing the media yesterday on the weekly security situation at the MCNS, Government Defence Affairs spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said during the last few days certain elements behind the LTTE proposed a CFA with the LTTE. “This was the normal practice of the LTTE when they were defeated militarily and weakened. They call for peace negotiation to halt the offensive and avoid the Security Forces’ humanitarian mission to liberate uncleared areas.
Our leaders experienced this during the last three decades,” he added. “Whenever the LTTE proposes a CFA, it always ends it with destruction and a calamity to the Government, public and sovereignty of the country,” Minister Rambukwella remarked.
Minister Rambukwella reiterated that the Government categorically rejects any peace negotiation settlement with the LTTE unless the Tigers lay down arms and surrender to Security Forces. “When President Mahinda Rajapaksa took office he immediately extended an invitation for peace negotiations with the LTTE. The President called the LTTE to the negotiation table in Geneva. The CFA was abused by the LTTE in many occasions since then,” the Minister said.
Minister Rambukwella said during the CFA the Jet Liner ship carrying unarmed forces on holiday and a Navy medical team had come under LTTE fire.
A vegetable market too was bombed in Jaffna. 17 Commandos were killed in an attack, then an attempt was made to assassinate the Army Commander finally and Mavilaru sluice gate was attacked to disrupt the daily life of people who depend on farming.
Following these abuses of the CFA by the LTTE, the Government had decided to erase terrorism and liberate civilians from the LTTE clutches. “The East was liberated and the democracy had been restored. The Easterners were allowed the franchise and their political rights restored, the Minister said.
Minister Rambukwella stressed that the North will be liberated and the humanitarian mission will be continued by the Security Forces. The Government has no any intention to negotiate with the LTTE unless it lays down arms and surrender. We embarked on an humanitarian mission in the North and troops are successfully marching forward and are now in the victory of Kilinochchi.
The entire North and our brothers and sisters entrapped in the Tigers’ grip will be liberated in near future. Democracy will be restored in the North as in the East,” he added.
Courtesy : Daily News
‘Adhistana Pooja’ by Sri Lankan artists to enlighten South Indian counterparts
Sri Lankan artists are scheduled to stage a slogan free, peaceful demonstration today (13) in response to the agitation campaign launched by their South Indian counterparts, who earlier protested against the Sri Lankan Government’s humanitarian against the LTTE.
The main purpose of the demo is to show the real situation in the country, sources close to the artists said, noting that their South Indian counterparts were misled by pro-LTTE politicians in Tamli Nadu.
An open letter will also be sent to the Indian Government and the South Indian artists clarifying the actual situation prevailing in the country to waive off their fears.
In addition an “Adhistana Pooja” will be staged at Independence Square today with a simple lamp lighting ceremony urging sincere dedication to the national cause and to enlighten the India artists of the humane, tolerant and fraternal treatment of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, the artists will cordially invite the Indian counterparts to visit Sri Lanka and see for themselves the manner in which the Tamil community enjoys freedoms in multi-communal townships a fact which also bears testimony to the largely tolerant Sri Lankan way of life.
All artists are invited to be present on this occasion putting aside political differences if any
Courtesy: Government Information Department
