Launch of Sri Lanka’s first audio book
All those present at the Sri Lanka National Library in Colombo on
Friday witnessed a historic event in Sri Lanka’s publishing history with
the launch of the country’s first audio book.
The book chosen was “The Burghers’ authored by J.B. Muller. It was
chosen because J.B. Muller made a point in his book that brought all
Burghers within the fold of that Community without distinctions as to
being of Portuguese, Dutch, or British descent.
He also made the point that the Burghers are fully and completely
coequal citizens of Sri Lanka and proud to be Sri Lankan-flying in the
face of chauvinism and bigotry that has brought so much misery to so
many.
He believes in a common and overarching Sri Lankan identity and
plainly states that Sri Lanka is the Motherland of the Burghers-their
only homeland.
J.B. Muller’s audio book was introduced to the audience in a dramatic
fashion by Master of Ceremonies Errol Alphonso, himself a Burgher.
It was completely non-traditional dispensing with the usual rituals
that attend such occasions.
The Keynote Address was delivered by eminent academician Dr. K.D.
Paranavitana of the Department of Humanities of Rajarata University,
Mihintale, who spoke with authority about the Burghers, providing
perspective to this event.
In conclusion, he said: “The Burghers remain as a charming community
in the Island with an identity of their own. With the blessings of all
may the venture of JB and his sponsors reach the zenith of their success
in a short spell of time.”
Both J.B. Muller and Errol Alphonso have agreed and would be
associated with Salaka Hewamadduma in the production of other audio
books, starting now. |