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'National Arts festival marks turning point'

by Nadira Gunatilleke

Today we have become a society that is sharing hatred. We have divided into separate groups owing to various differences. We are divided into different ethnic, religious and political parties. Artists bear the sole responsibility of rescuing our nation from these divisions, said Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse.

He was addressing the National Arts Festival 2004 held at the Viharamahadevi Open Air Theatre, Colombo 7 yesterday. Premier Rajapakse said that the festival marks a turning point of the literary field of the country. We have a history that cannot be forgotten.

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage has been able to gather a large crowd for this festival which only gathered to watch pandals, carnivals and other shows. Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Minister Vijitha Herath said that the literary field of the country has been facing a huge set back for some time. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage has launched a massive program to change this situation.

A country achieves development only if it develops both morally and substantially. If we need to develop a country we need a society that has a suitable mentality and ideology. The National Arts Festival 2004 is one small step towards giving eyes to the nation.

Ministry Additional Secretary K. K. W. Tillakasiri delivered the welcome speech. Literary awards were presented to 35 prominent artistes including the Ven. Weligama Gnanarathana Thera, Ven. Theripehe Somananda Thera, Rev. Fr. Earnest Poruthota, Prof. Siri Gunasinghe, Prof. A. V. Suraweera, Prof. K. Sivathambi who devoted their lives towards literary activities and the arts. Several cultural items were presented during the show.

JVP Propaganda Secretary, MP, Wimal Weerawansa, Information and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Deputy Minister Samantha Vidyaratne, ambassadors and special invitees from India, Pakistan and Russia were also present.

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