Country's language and culture survived due to people like Sunil Shantha - Speaker

Chameera Elladeniya

COLOMBO: The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) launched a CD album containing songs by the veteran musician of yesteryear, Sunil Shantha, to mark the 40th anniversary of the Corporation, yesterday .

Speaker W. J. M. Lokubandara who was the Chief Guest said when looking back, it was questionable whether the deserving has received due place.

"Even under imperial rule our language and culture survived under numerous threats owing to the dedication of great men like Sunil Shantha and Munidasa Cumaratunga and people of that standing are not lacking among us even today."

Western Province Chief Minister Reginald Cooray, said the field of music is at the moment was strayed and that the time was ripe to change this trend.

The music of modern time may have a future, but it has no present, as we observe, he added.

SLBC Chairman Sunil Sarath Perera, the occasion said Sunil Shantha was dedicated to make the SLBC popular.

His songs fostered patriotism and pride of the nation.

Launching an album of Sunil Shantha's songs on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the SLBC is a fitting tribute to the late musician, he said.

Professor Wimal Dissanayake, Professor Carlo Fonseka, Professor Vinie Vitharana, Arisen Ahubudu and MP Aswar participated.