President wants artistes to focus on children

by Anjana Gamage

President Mahinda Rajapakse called on leading artistes to use their talent towards creative work for the benefit of children.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of the National Year of Children- 2006 at the BMICH on Wednesday he emphasised the need for special creative work directed towards children in cinema, theatre, songs and music.

He called upon all creative people in the country to produce more creative work in their chosen fields of talent and activity for the benefit of children.

The President also spoke on the misusing children in advertising campaigns and pointed out that new laws and regulations should be implemented to overcome this.

"Using children for advertisements has become a major issue. The time allocated for children on television and radio is not adequate. Changes in this should begin this year," he said.

The theme song of the National Year of Children composed by Kumaradasa Saputantri, Prof. Carlo Fonseka and Soorya Kumar V. Muththalage was sung by Visharada Edward Jayakody and Charitha Priyadarshani Peiris with pupils of the Sarisara music academy.

Another feature at the ceremony was the performance by students of "Kulasiri Budawatta Rangayathanaya".