Artistes extend support to President

by Uditha KUMARASINGHE

A group of veteran film stars and film producers urged the masses to extend their unstinted support to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the forthcoming Presidential Poll.

Ravindra Randeniya

Rohana Weerasinghe

Douglas Siriwardene

Somaratne Dissanayake

Sumithra Peries

Malini Fonseka

Jackson Anthony

Neela Wickramasinghe

Renuka Balasuriya

These film idols and veteran artistes who held their initial press briefing in Colombo on Friday under the title "Asi Disi Vidwath Kathikawa" said, "President Rajapaksa not only unified the country divided for the past three decades but also united all the artistes who were divided into several factions".

They claimed that over 95 per cent of artistes were with President Rajapaksa. This firm relationship has been forged between the President and the artistes due to the genuineness and unassuming nature of President. These artistes have not rallied round the President to gain any personal benefits, they said.

Film idols Malini Fonseka, Ravindra Randeniya, Jackson Anthony, veteran film producer Sumithra Peries, veteran musician Rohana Weerasinghe, veteran dramatist Douglas Siriwardene, veteran singer Neela Wickramasinghe and prominent film producers Somaratna Dissanayake and Renuka Balasuriya were among the key artistes who participated in the press briefing extending their support to President.

Malini Fonseka said as artistes, they can witness the freedom enjoyed today due to the bold moves taken by the President to eradicate terrorism from Sri Lankan soil. "We are well aware of the severe hardships encountered by the artistes over the past three decades owing to terrorism."

She said this freedom we enjoy today as artistes is enough to extend their support to the President. "As a nation, we should be grateful to the President. We should give a certain time frame to President to sort out the problems as he had brought victory to the country."

Rohana Weerasinghe said propaganda campaigns have been launched against the President.

"The Opposition is only greedy for power. The President is a veteran politician. He is the leader who created this peaceful atmosphere for artistes."

Ravindra Randeniya said if there was no dynamic political leadership, the war could have not have been won. We have a lot of respect to the former Army Commander who gave leadership to the Army. It was not only him who launched the war against terrorists. The Navy and Air Force also played a major role to win the war."

"From my point of view, the country's administration should be handed over to President Rajapaksa once again. We cannot forget the situation which prevailed in this country over the past 30 years. Once again we have turned into an independent country.

The President has put an end to terrorism. Terrorism was the main obstacle faced by the film industry. Its end is a great relief for the film industry. No President in recent history has given this kind of support to develop the film industry."

Film Director Sumithra Peiris said President Rajapaksa is a true leader who has identified the pulse of the common people. "Even today various foreign forces are acting against our country. It is essential that all the artistes should genuinely extend their support to this Government at this juncture.

This Government has completed only four years. Therefore a certain time should be given to the Government to fulfil its duties. I think all artistes should join hand and extend their support to President."

Veteran Actor Jackson Anthony said this is the first time he attended this kind of discussion. "No analysis has been made about our recent political leaders. President Rajapaksa can be described as a charismatic leader. Earlier we did not have a leader with a cultural identity.

All the leaders we had earlier were merely political leaders. After we gained the independence, a cultural leadership has been created in Sri Lanka."

He said Mahinda Rajapaksa is a political leader and a cultural leader as well. "The Mahinda Chinthana is a political manifesto. But Mahinda Rajapaksa vision is a fully indigenous policy which does not bow down to any foreign force."

Film Director Somaratne Dissanayake said artistes extended their support to the President in 2005 as well. Those days our main demand was to eradicate terrorism and restore a cultural identity in Sri Lanka.

"The President has already fulfilled our first demand. The second demand has not yet been fulfilled. Because there was no environment conducive to complete that over the past four years. The President has promised he will fulfil this request after his victory at the Presidential election."

Dissanayake said some people say the artistes should not speak about politics. "I think artistes should speak politics at the required time."

Veteran Singer Neela Wickramasinghe said the artiste is the heart of a country. Genuine artistes can make a massive change within the society. Today we are living in a free and independent country.

There are signs for a good environment for our future generation. Artistes are always with the people. They will not provide any room to cause any harm to the people. The artistes have rallied round the President. The people will give a massive mandate to the President."

Sumithra Peries, Jackson Anthony, Ravindra Randeniya, Rohana Weerasinghe, Somaratne Dissanayake, Malini Fonseka and Douglas Sirirwardena at the press briefing where they pledged their support to the President.  - Pic: Sarath Weerasinghe

Veteran dramatist Douglas Siriwardene said artistes have associated with the President for several decades. He has a close relationship with artistes. We have never seen this kind of Leader. Is it wrong to extend our support to this kind of true Leader ?, he asked.

He said Sri Lanka as an Asian country has never been subject to a military rule. A democratic Leader should be elected through the people's vote as the country's leader. The artistes have also organised a series of meetings countrywide to extend their support to President.

The first meeting is scheduled for Nugegoda. "I challenge the Opposition to get this kind of prominent artistes into their side and make a public announcement extending support to their candidate."

Film producer and announcer Renuka Balasuriya said all artistes are on one front today.

Before 2005, artistes were on two sides. But all those artistes who were on the other side have also joined hands forming a single front.

A certain time should be given to turn the Mahinda vision into a reality. The moves taken by the President to eradicate terrorism was not confined to a single political party or colour. That was the burning issue of the country. However our people forget the past very soon."