Donovan Andree's 50th death anniversary

Showbiz and sports promoter par excellence, the late Donovan Andree's 50th death anniversary falls today.

He helped to bring to this country the best in showbiz and sports. To mention a few, the best of all was the Show "Holiday on Ice', Harlem Black Birds, Tony Brent, the Duke Elling Band, Golden Gate Quartette, International wrestling and boxing.

In 1955, he was elected as the Personality of the year in the contest organised by the Observer, beating the then Prime Minister Sir John Kotalawela. He helped many Stars in the Music and Sports field in our country. Artists Cliff Foenander, Bill Forbes and the greatest of all, Queen of Songs Erin de Selfa who went to sing at the Windsor Castle.

He also helped the country to win the First Asian Gold in athletics in 1958, helped Ediriveerasingham, the high jumper by paying for the air ticket when the A.A.A. had no funds to send an athlete at that time. In 1955, Ceylon's Maureen Hinghert was helped by him and his son Malcolm to win the 2nd Runner-up in the Miss Universe Contest held at Long Beach, California.

Meals was given on the July 2 and 3, 2009 to 35 people each day at the Church of St. Michaels and All Angels at Polwatte. A radio program is planned today at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. The Radio programme will be presented by Nihal Baratha, time will be announced over SLBC.