Artistes carry peace message through Adishtana Pooja
Shirley WIJESINGHE
COLOMBO: 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.
Artistes participating in the Adishtana Pooja yesterday.
Picture by Rukmal Gamage |
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. |