Hollywood artistes join Lankan stars to rebuild tsunami affected lives
14 February 2005
This article first appeared in the online version of the Daily Times, Sri Lanka's leading English language newspaper
Actors and other film artistes in Hollywood joined their Sri Lankan counterparts in rebuilding tsunami affected lives, especially through helping a project in constructing 52 houses in the Southern fishing village of Kahandamodara, Ranna.
A total of rupees five million for the construction of the village has been committed by the Hollywood film community through the US-based relief organization Knightsbridge International and a donation of two million rupees - the second phase of the commitment - was made during a simple function held at Mount Lavinia Hotel on Tuesday.
The housing project is being implemented by the Nava Cine-Oscar Foundation of Sri Lanka. The Film Locations Services Limited is the local coordinator for the Knightsbridge Foundation in its relief projects in Sri Lanka.
The Nava Cine-Oscar Foundation was established with the amalgamation of Nawaloka Group of Companies, Cine Star Foundation and Outstanding Song Creators Association (OSCA) just after the tsunami disaster, in a bid to take urgent steps for relief work on a long-term basis under one banner.
"We are extremely grateful to the film community in the US for joining hands with us in this meritorious task," said senior actor Ravindra Randeniya adding that the artistes in Sri Lanka wasted no time in getting onto the streets in helping the tsunami affected people of the country.
"Within a matter of hours we were on the roads collecting essential items for the victims," Randeniya said.
The construction of houses is in the final stage now, he said. "The entire film community will celebrate the new year with house warming ceremonies in the newly built village of Kahandamodara."
We would provide the victims not only with a shelter, but with relief to their minds as well, said popular actress Sangeetha Weeraratne.
"Two houses of the 52 new houses in the village will be dedicated for the villagers to interact and enjoy with artistes," she said. We hope all artistes would join us in Kahandamodara to celebrate New Year with new hopes of rebuilding a devastated nation," Sangeetha added.
Sir Edward Artis, the President of Knightsbridge International said that the donation was only a beginning of a long-term commitment in rebuilding Sri Lanka.
"Our organization has already launched projects worth over Rs. 30 million within 30 days. This housing project with film artistes is one of them. We would continue to help Sri Lanka," Sir Edward emphasized.
The Nava Cine-Oscar foundation presented a letter of appreciation to the film community in the US for their generous contribution and it was received by Sir Edward Artis on behalf of the Hollywood stars and film artistes.
"We have confidence in the Nava Cine-Oscar Foundation and we are proud to join hands with them in helping the affected lives," Head of Film Location Services Chandran Ratnam said. He expressed hope that more artistes in Hollywood as well as other parts of the world would get-together to help the affected people in Sri Lanka.
The first instalment of Rs. one million had been handed over to the Nava Cine-Oscar Foundation by the Knightsbridge International a month ago.
Film stars including Robin Fernando, Sabeetha Perera, Dilhani Ekanayake, Semini Iddamalgoda, Ranjan Ramanayake, Roshan Pilapitiya, Channa Wijewardhana and Nava Cine-Oscar President Jayantha Dharmadasa were also present at the occasion.
The full story can be viewed at http://www.dailynews.lk/2005/02/14/new41.html
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