- Russia, Croatia offer to sell warships
Lankan delegation in Russia for inspection- Third candidate moves off the ground
- 17 day docs strike
Essential Services order revoked- SLFP-LSSP rift over Athauda appointment
- Lake House chasing unpaid printing bills
- Director quits but hangs on to perks
- Nepal detains LTTE suspects before Chandrikas arrival
- LTTE accepts govts offer to open Vavuniya - Mankulam road
Hundreds flee terrorist controlled areas for refuge in Mannar & Jaffna- An exponent in Kandyan dancing
- UNP - PA meeting silent and discreet says Hameed
- Third party mediation needed to end SL crisis British clergy
- Court orders Secretary to Treasury to pay 15 pc of damages claim in rights plea
- Gift of baby elephant to ancient vihare
- 44 apparel exporters seek relief against BOI ruling
- Tipplers spirits sag with Mendis price jolt
- Launch of soya cooking milk powder
- Private sector role in local administration
- Murungas and coconuts out of bounds
- Remembering Jothipala
- Gays gay
- Violin and piano recital
Russia, Croatia offer to sell warships
Lankan delegation in Russia for inspection
by Shamindra Ferdinando
A top level Sri Lankan delegation headed by a former additional defence secretary E. S. Gunatilaka is in Russia to explore the possibility of acquiring an undisclosed number of warships from the Russian Federation, highly placed defence sources said yesterday.
The delegation includes the Director of Naval Operations, Director Naval Engineering and a captain of the Sri Lanka Navy [SLN], the sources said.
They are expected to return next week.
The government sent the delegation to inspect several warships after Russia responded positively to a Sri Lankan bid for fighting ships that once belonged to the powerful Warsaw Pact Fleet.
The vessels on offer are bigger and more powerful than the SLNs biggest vessel, Shakthi, a Chinese built Landing Ship Tank [LST].
Defence sources said that half a dozen vessels akin to frigate class had been offered. "We are looking for about three vessels," an armed forces officer said.
Gunatilakas delegation left on June 29 after SLN headquarters studied the Russian offer, he said.
Russian vessels had been in service with the SLN years ago. However, since the Eelam War erupted in 1983, Sri Lanka has not acquired fighting ships from Russia.
Defence sources said that Croatia too has made an offer to sell warships. The Croatian government, the source said had offered to sell several ships. The SLN headquarters is expected to study this offer.
The acquisition of big vessels will considerably improve the SLNs capability to counter LTTE arms smuggling operations in international waters, defence sources said. Sri Lanka has been forced to request for Indian naval and air assistance to counter LTTE arms smuggling operations, these sources said pointing out bigger vessels would give the SLN the ability to operate in international waters.
There are 23 big vessels in the SLNs fleet of 148 craft deployed against the LTTE. The fleet comprise 37 Fast Attack Craft , 14 Medium Patrol Boats, 48 Inshore Patrol Craft and other vessels.
At the time Vice Admiral Cecil Tissera took over command in late March 1997, there were about 100 vessels including 26 FACs. In a recent interview with this reporter Vice Admiral Tissera pointed out that the government has identified the need to wage a proper campaign against LTTEs sea capability.
The prestigious Janes Fighting Ships in its latest issue has quoted President Kumaratunga as saying that "if we had upgraded our navy earlier, the problem of Tamil separatist terrorism would not have taken the present form".
It describe Kumaratungas remarks as an unusual tribute to the importance of sea power, even in local confrontations.
Vice Admiral Tissera explained that there was no alternative but to confront the LTTE at sea. The navy he pointed out is the first line of defence particularly for an island nation.
Third candidate moves off the ground
By Franklin. R. Satyapalan
The JVP has invited left and ``progressive parties to a joint meeting to consider a common candidate for any forthcoming presidential election.This follows current differences between the leftist constituents of the PA and the dominant SLFP which however insists that the alliance will remain as it is at the next election.
The Communist Partys Raja Collure said that they have called for an urgent meeting of the PAs executive committee after Mr. Batty Weerakoon who is away in Budapest returns to the country this week.
The JVPs Wimal Weerawansa said yesterday that they are seeking progressives accord over the abolition of the executive presidency.
Essential Services order revokedby Chittaranjan de Silva
The Essential Services order clamped on the countrys health services following the 17-day GMOA-led strike was revoked by a Presidential directive, authoritative sources said.
The revocation of the order was a result of the talks President Kumaratunga had with the GMOA.
The discussions between the GMOA and the President on Friday were successful and a decision was taken to appoint a committee within a week to examine the demands of the GMOA.
The President has directed that a committee represented by the GMOA as well as the government be appointed to go into the matter which led to the strike, the sources said.
The President had assured the doctors that all possible avenues will be explored to find a solution to the demands of the doctors within the framework of the present Constitution.
The committee is expected to submit their findings to the President within a month, according to these sources.
The GMOA called off their 17-day strike, which severely affected the patients in government hospitals throughout the country before the negotiations with the President began, as a pre-requisite for the talks. The President in turn, revoked the essential services order on the health services , sources said.
It was decided by the government during the discussions that compensation would be paid within a month for the damages caused to the vehicles and houses of the GMOA doctors during their strike action, sources said.
The public anger against the striking doctors resulted in some damages being caused to their private property. The GMOA alleged that there were instances of organised thuggery and not spontaneous public reactions.
"Compensation is to be paid on police recommendations, and those doctors who have been affected will have to first make a claim at the police station", GMOA sources said.
A car belonging to a doctor was burnt and the wind screens of two other vehicles belonging to GMOA members were damaged. There has also been some damages caused by the stoning of houses belonging to some doctors, GMOA sources said.
Doctors resorted to strike action demanding that the powers vested with the Central Public Services Commission to appoint provincial directors and deputy provincial directors should not be devolved to the Provincial Councils.
The GMOA feared that the countrys health services would break down if Provincial Councillors were allowed the final say on these important appointments of Provincial Directors.
The centralised powers vested with the Health Ministry, if devolved to the provinces would spell disaster in the services as well as the administration , the doctors pointed out. The GMOA said that in other countries too, the health services experienced a breakdown when the centralised powers were devolved to provinces.
The GMOA also demanded that the government should give an assurance that they will proceed with the National Health Policy approved by the cabinet.
According to the 13th amendment of the constitution the Health Ministry said that Provincial Councillors have the right to appoint provincial directors.
The doctors claimed that the provincial authorities, due to corruption, mismanaged hospitals in many districts and as a result they had to be administered by the centre again.
SLFP-LSSP rift over Athauda appointment
By Chitra Weeraratne
The appointment of Athauda Seneviratne as Chief Minister, Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council, has led to a dispute between the LSSP and the SLFP, both members of the Peoples Alliance.
Mr. Seneviratne, who did not stand for election, was appointed as member of the Provincial Council on the resignation of H. R. Mithrapala, a member of the LSSP who was elected representing the Kegalle District.
The LSSP Secretary Batty Weerakoon, had asked the Secretary of the Peoples Alliance, D. M. Jayaratne to appoint a member of the LSSP Anura Jayasiri in his place, but Mr. Seneviratne, a member of the SLFP had been appointed.
This led to two applications for writs of quo warranto being filed by two members of the LSSP, challenging the appointment of Mr. Seneviratne, in the Court of Appeal.
On Friday the Court of Appeal issued notice on the Chief Minister Mr. Seneviratne and three others, D. M. Jayaratne, Secretary of the PA, the Commissioner of Elections, Mr. Anura Jayasiri, and on Batty Weerakoon, Secretary of the LSSP, returnable on July 15.
Lake House chasing unpaid printing bills
With over Rs. 10 million owning from the SLFP for election printing done by Lake House, the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. who had previously sought payment of overdues from the SLFPs administrative secretary has now gone to party secretary Dharmasiri Senanayake to collect the money.
A flock of debit notes dated May 28, 1999, has been sent to the "Hon. (sic) Secretary, SLFP Headquarters, Colombo 10."
But when the settlement will be made remains unclear. According to the ANCL management, credit is usually extended for one month and if an account remains unsettled, credit facilities are withdrawn. After six months the papers are forwarded for legal action although action may not necessarily be filed.
But with the printing done often on the orders of the minister controlling Lake House, and the customer being very special, special treatment is the order of the day.
Mr. Dharmasiri Senanayake was not available for comment yesterday.
Director quits but hangs on to perks
A former Lake House director who resigned from the board of directors of the company on June 23 following a meeting between the companys board of directors and the media minister continues to occupy his former office and use a company car, Lake House employees alleged.
They say that he is seeking a job in the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. and in the meantime issuing orders although he has no authority to do so.
Lake House unions have been promised that a qualified accountant will be appointed the companys finance director as part of the settlement of a brief strike in the company (for less than a day) recently. Employees also got a Rs. 500 monthly pay increase against the collective agreement due for revision later this year.
An extraordinary general meeting of the company has been fixed for July 12 to elect the new director who has not yet been named.
Nepal detains LTTE suspects before Chandrikas arrival
KATHMANDU, July 2 (Reuters) - Nepal on Friday detained seven suspected Tamil militants for "suspicious" activities ahead of a visit to the Himalayan kingdom by Sri Lankas president, police said.
Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga was scheduled to arrive in Nepal on July 5 on her first state visit as the guest of King Birendra.
"They (the suspected militants) were detained as part of the security measures for the visit since they were frequently changing hotels in a suspicious manner," said Ram Kaji Bantawa, a senior police officer.
Police were investigating whether the seven were members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which is fighting for an independent homeland in northern and eastern Sri Lanka.
LTTE accepts govts offer to open Vavuniya - Mankulam road
Hundreds flee terrorist controlled areas for refuge in Mannar & Jaffna
by Shamindra Ferdinando
Hundreds of people living in areas under terrorist control fled to Mannar and Jaffna last week as the LTTE accepted an offer made by the army to re-open an overland route for civilian use between the government held area and the region under their control, officials in the north said.
The LTTE has accepted the armys offer to open the Vavuniya - Mankulam [A9] highway. The road is expected to be opened next week.
The previously used entry point at Uyilankulam has been closed since the renewal of operations in the Wanni west.
Meanwhile at least 75 fishing craft carrying about 850 men, women and children from Vidattaltivu had reached Mannar island in the past four days, a senior government official based in Mannar told The Sunday Island last night. Of them about 150 had arrived upto yesterday afternoon, he said adding that more people are expected to reach the Mannar island.
People started arriving last Wednesday [30].
They had all been sent to Pesalai refuge camp, he said.
People began fleeing Vidattaltivu in their boats after the LTTE on Tuesday [29] ordered the entire civilian population of Vidattaltivu to vacate their village and move northwards in view of the ongoing military operations, police said.
Troops are operating a mile or so away from Vidattaltivu village situated 15 miles north of Mannar town on the Mannar - Jaffna road. Quoting people arriving in Mannar, police and civilian officials said that Vidattaltivu had been vacated. At least 14 miles of the road came under government control when troops carried out the latest phase of the Ranagosa campaign, regaining approximately 70 square kms in the Wanni west.
Those who arrived in Mannar island had said that the LTTE wanted the entire population [2500-3000 persons] to move northwards before troops renew their advance towards the village. Military officials said that terrorists fired mortars from the village towards troops to draw fire on the civilians. Earlier the Wanni Security Forces headquarters had promised the Church that troops would not fire artillery and mortars on Vidattaltivu if terrorists did not fire first. However, terrorists opened fire and troops retaliated resulting in the death of three people. At least 20 people had been wounded. The wounded had been admitted to the Mallavi hospital.
About 2000 people had been forced to move northwards into the LTTE controlled region.
The LTTE controls about 3500 square kms in the Wanni.
Jaffna based military officials said that 87 persons reached the peninsula in boats last week. Of them 26 persons reached the Gurunagar jetty last Friday morning.
An exponent in Kandyan dancing
Miss Denon Lee Alderson is one of several students who entered the University of Peradeniya last year under the United States-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission (US-SLFC) exchange of students to follow humanitarian subjects. Denon Lee was interested in traditional Kandyan Dancing and studied the dance forms under the tutelage of reputed Kandyan dancer Kalasuri Peter Surasena for nearly six months.
After having completed the course Denon Lee staged her public performance at the Kandyan Cultural Centre Hall last Sunday.
Aldersons performance included The Sarasvathi Pooja Netuma, The Mangalam, Gajaga Vannama and Gahaka Vannama, some of the 18 traditional dance forms. Her graceful performance was welcomed with applause from the audience.
Reputed drummers I. G. Sirisoma and A. G. Premadasa were in attendance.
At the end of the performance Denon Lee was awarded a dignified certificate of merit by her Guru Sri Lankatilaka Kalasuri Peter Surasena himself an eminent exponent of the art commended here and abroad.
Messrs. Tissa Jayatilake (Executive Director, US-SLFC) and Peter R. Claussen (Chairman, US-SLFC and Director, USIS, Sri Lanka) made the opening and closing remarks respectively.
UNP - PA meeting silent and discreet says Hameed
By Franklin. R. Satyapalan
A UNP - PA meeting under the auspices of the business leaders peace initiative has been fixed for July 8, senior political sources confirmed yesterday.
These sources said that the UNP believes that ``silent diplomacy would best serve the consensus that is sought and said as much at a meeting with the business leaders held last week at the BMICH.
Mr. A.C.S. Hameed, MP, who led the UNP delegation to this meeting said that the business leaders summary of areas of agreement and disagreement between the UNP and the PA on the devolution proposals was broadly acceptable.
In the discussion that followed, Mr. Lalith Kotelawela, coordinator of the business leaders group, suggested a meeting between the PA and the UNP to narrow differences and achieve a consensus on an approach to end the ethnic conflict.
Hameed said that any such meeting between the two major parties should be ``silent and discreet and held in parliament. A public meeting at the BMICH would only lead to the parties taking up debating positions.
Mr. K.N. Choksy pointed out that all parliamentary parties participated in the select committee meeting examining the ethnic question and it would not be proper for just the UNP and the PA discuss the proposals before them excluding the participation of other parties.
Mr. D.M. Swaminathan too said that nothing should be done to upset minority parties.
Kotelawela urged that at least one joint meeting between the PA and the UNP be held at the BMICH. Hameed said the UNP would agree to this but their basic position would remain unchanged.
Third party mediation needed to end SL crisis British clergy
From Sujeeva Nivunhella in London
Christian and Catholic clergy from England and Ireland who visited Sri Lanka in May looking for a solution for ongoing Tamil terrorist problem are to recommend third party mediation in their report due in few days.
Rev. Dr. Norman Taggart of the Methodist Church in Ireland, Rev. Dr. Andrew Wingate of the Church of England, Fr. Pat Davis of the Roman Catholic church and Dr. Elizabeth Harris of the Methodist Church who call themselves Friends of Peace visited Sri Lanka at the invitation of the Peace Council and the Christian Council in Sri Lanka will hand over their report to the World Christian Council and to the British Foreign Ministry.
They had visited Kandy, Vavuniya, Mannar, Madhu, Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, Puttalam, Kalpitiya, Negombo, Panadura, Bulathsinghala, Hiniduma and Weligama and spoken to Buddhist monks, Christian and Catholic priests and Sinhala and Tamil civilians.
Fr. Pat Davis talking about their trip last Sunday at the Saddhatissa International Buddhist Centre in London said Jehan Perera, Dr. Asanga Tillekeratna, Dulip Sigera and Dr. Selvi Thiruchandran visited England last year and had discussions about the Sri Lankan problem and invited the British clergy to visit Sri Lanka.
He said that George Mitchell of the USA helped to resolve the problem in Northern Ireland with the Good Friday Agreement and likewise Sri Lanka should look for the third party mediation from Finland, Norway or South Africa.
However, Father Pat Davis did not want to accept Prabhakaran or the LTTE as terrorists.
The Sri Lanka High Commission in London and the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry knew about their visit, they said.
Court orders Secretary to Treasury to pay 15 pc of damages claim in rights plea
The Secretary to the Treasury was ordered by the Supreme Court last Friday to pay Pelwatte Sugar Industries, as first instalment 15 per cent of the Rs. 576 million which it had claimed in a fundamental rights violation plea.
Court made this order after Deputy Solicitor General K. Sripavan said that the Treasury acknowledged that the money claimed by Pelwatte Sugar Industries was due to the company.
The DSG said the reason the Public Administration Ministry Secretary sought to terminate the agreement with the company was the lack of funds in the Treasury.
Sometime back, the Plantation Industries Ministry had recommended the payment of that amount.
The Treasutry didnt dispute that Rs. 576 million was due.
In respect of the total amount of the claim, the Supreme Court ordered a payment of Rs. 86.4 million within six weeks.
The case will come up for hearing again on August 24.
The bench comprised Justices A. R. B. Amerasinghe, S. W. B. Wadugodapitiya and D. P. S. Gunasekera.
Romesh de Silva appeared on behalf of Pelwatte Sugar Industries.
44 apparel exporters seek relief against BOI ruling
by. V. Varathasuntharam
Forty four apparel exporters last week filed separate applications in the Supreme Court challenging the decision of the BOI to terminate a contract facilitating imports and exports.
According to the contract the apparel exporters were not subjected to any customs or any other like restriction in respect of imports of plant, equipment, machinery and other materials to be used for and by the enterprise, and also for goods and articles manufactured or those permitted by the commissioner in writing in accordance with this agreement which may be exported outside of Sri Lanka.
The applications of all the apparel exporters were filed by their counsel G. G. Arulpragasam.
Earlier the Supreme Court had given relief to another apparel exporter Union Apparels Ltd by directing the BOI to continue to effect the felicitations provided under the contract.
The Bench comprised Justice Amarasinghe, Justice Dheeraratne and Justice Gunasekera.
That successful application was supported by Presidents Counsel Romesh de Silva appearing with M. M. Illiyas and Hiran de Alwis instructed by G. G. Arulpragasam.
Tipplers spirits sag with Mendis price jolt
The price of four brands of Mendis liquor products have been increased to cushion the impact of escalating production costs, a senior company official said.
Mendis Extra Special and Gold Label arrack will cost five rupees more per 750 ml bottle while Arak and Red Label will cost three rupees more, Managing Director, W. M. Mendis and Company Limited, Hiran Gunaratne said.
The price of other brands of Mendis liquor remains unchanged, he assured.
Despite the 500% hike in customs duty on rectified spirits in November last year, the price of Mendis products were not increased, Gunaratne said.
Last December, Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka (DCSL) pushed up prices of its liquor by as much as 15%. It came on the heels of the 10% revision on liquor prices by the November budget.
This marginal price revision, warranted by an upsurge of productions costs, will be least felt by tipplers, the Managing Director said.
Four months back, Mendis liquor brands went up by five rupees in what was described as an inevitable price hike to meet spiralling overheads.
This is our final price increase provided the government doesnt interfere by raising taxes, he said.
Tipplers who surrender an empty Gold Label bottle will enjoy a five rupee reduction. Earlier empty bottles of this particular brand were not accepted.
Even with last weeks price hike, our products are about twenty rupees cheaper than the DCSL ones, Gunaratne said.
There is change in the prices of Mendis products which are 100% coconut-based and has no imported rectified spirit component which is costly, he explained.
The new prices per 750 ml bottle are as follows; Mendis Extra Special Rs. 195/-, Gold Label Rs. 220/-, Arak Rs. 193/-, Red Label Rs. 188/-
In comparison, a DCSL 750 ml bottle of Extra Special costs Rs. 215/-. (Suresh)
Launch of soya cooking milk powder
by Sanjeevi Jayasuriya
The Soy Foods (F&W) Limited introduced another Soya product by the brand name "Milkee" cooking milk powder at its launch at the Hotel Renuka last week.The companys Sales Manager, Eral Seneviratne said the objective is to diversify into co-related Soya products with the aim of establishing greater stability.
The new product has two varieties, seasoned and plain cooking milk powder in two pack sizes. The milk powder is convenient and affordable and is value for money. It has 50% protein, low in fat and all cholesterol free, he said.
The targeted market is housewives between the age group of 25 to 55 years living in urban and semi urban areas. The company had taken steps to create maximum brand awareness highlighting key product benefits. It has also organised several advertising and promotion campaigns in the media to make the product popular among busy working women.
"Milkee" would be available in all outlets throughout the country in the near future. The advantages of using this product are many. The price factor is the main force. When compared to the two other available milk powders in the market, "Milkee " has a better future, the company claimed.
Private sector role in local administration
At the regional conference of Mayors of 28 Asian cities held in Colombo from June 28 to 30, success stories of how the private sector and civil society have helped local administration were demonstrated by Mayor Karu Jayasuriya, and Rhina Bahar, a senior councillor at the Municipal Council of Penang.
Mr. Jayasuriya spoke of how a number of partnerships were built between the Colombo Municipality and the business community professional organisations, non-governmental organisations and civil society.
Rhina Bahar spoke of the "Sustainable Penang Initiative" which championed initiatives and expected relationships between civil society, state and business.
Murungas and coconuts out of bounds
A Point Pedro resident denied the use of coconuts and murungas from a relatives compound has written to President Chandrika Kumaratunga saying that the Presidential Secretariat too is now haunted with "Booru(wa)crats".
Mr. K. C. Adiapathans problem relates to several houses round the police station at the Velvettiturai junction being declared out of bounds. The result is that he cant pluck the coconuts and murungas as he has done since 1988 when his wifes relatives left their home for Colombo and subsequently emigrated to Canada.
"Every year I used to pluck 50-60 coconuts and murunga from trees in the compound. The last time I plucked coconuts was in March 1998. After the police station was opened in June 1998 I have not been able to pluck any coconuts or murunga from the trees in the compound," he has complained.
Adiapathan who has estimated his loss at Rs. 1,500 says that a coconut can cost as much as Rs. 40-50 in Jaffna. He wants the IGP to immediately pay him this sum for the loss sustained by him from June 1998 to May 1999 and another Rs. 1,500 as an advance against losses for the next year.
He also says that hes got no replies to two registered letters he wrote the president on the subject "thieves seen/caught red-handed" and concludes: "It appears that the booru(wa)crats who haunt ministries, departments, boards and corporations are now haunting the presidential secretariat."
A series of religious ceremonies have been organised to commemorate the 12th death anniversary of popular vocalist H. R. Jothipala.
A special alms giving arranged by the H. R. Jothipala fan club is scheduled to take place on July 8 at Vajira Childrens Home, Pitakotte at 4.30 pm.
President of the fan club, Roy Mellonius extended an invitation to all artistes and fans of the late singer to be present on the occasion.
Siriyame Sara, a felicitation ceremony in honour of Jothipala has been organised on July 7 at the Colombo Elphinstone theatre at 6 pm under the patronage of Pundit W. D. Amaradeva.
Dr. Sarath Amunugama, musician Sarath Dassanayake and journalist Dharmasiri Gamage will pay tribute to the late vocalist.
The ceremony has been organised by T. M. Sangadasa, President of the Kala Lanka foundation.
Dambulla created history when "Companions on a Journey", activists for sexual minorities in Sri Lanka, picked the Hotel Family Park to host their second National Gays Conference on June 19 and 20.
The conference was attended by sixty gay men who had come to express their views and experiences in being gay in Sri Lanka, and to analyse the problems confronting them in their homes, workplaces and community.
For many participants this proved to be a brief span of time for freely drawing out long suppressed emotions and feelings which could not be aired openly in society, said Mr. Sherman de Rose, Executive Director of Companions on a Journey.
The Companions nominated three to represent them at the International Lesbian/Gay Association world conference to be held in September in Johannesburg. (FRS)
The Sunethra Bandaranaike Trust is presenting an evening of rare musical entertainment in support of its initiative to establish an Integrated Theatre for Disabled and Non-Disabled youth in Sri Lanka. This performance will take place on Tuesday July 20, at the Lionel Wendt Theatre at 7.30 pm. Tickets will be available at the Theatre from Monday July 5.
The musicians who will be performing on July 20 are the Yugoslav born violin virtuoso Stefan Milenkovich and the internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan born pianist Rohan De Silva. In their recent recital together, the Washington Post declared "Milenkovich and his superb piano accompanist, Rohan De Silva, began the programme with Beethovens Sonata No 7, played with pungent wit, whiplash intensity and fine classical style".
Milenkovich started playing the violin at the age of 3 and by the age of 5 made his first solo appearance with an orchestra. Milenkovich has played with the leading international orchestras including the Berlin Symphony Orchestra and the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra. He has recorded an all-Paganini CD, the Bach sonatas, the Mendelssohn and Kabalevsky concertos.
His recent recital at the Kennedy Centre was reviewed as "so disarmingly magical that it is not easy to describe this is not so much a matter of dazzling virtuosity (though he has it all) as of searching musicianship".
Pianist Rohan De Silva is the first recipient of a special scholarship in the arts from the Presidents Fund of Sri Lanka. He entered the prestigious Juilliard School, New York where he received both his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music. Rohan currently teaches at Juilliard. In 1990, he was awarded a special prize as Best Accompanist at the Ninth International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow and has subsequently collaborated with such violin virtuosos as Itzhak Perlman and Midori.
The recital is jointly sponsored by Singapore Airlines, Hotel Lanka Oberoi, the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation.
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