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| Tuesday, 10 December 2002 |
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by Somadasa Wijeratna Joe Abeywickrema who enthraled cinema lovers for decades with his unique style of acting enriched by his rural life experiences was honoured and felicitated at the BMICH on Sunday night. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was the chief guest. The ceremony organised by Gramodaya Folk Art Centre was initiated by Samurdhi, Agriculture and Livestock Minister S.B. Dissanayake who functioned as the President of the Joe Abeywickrema Felicitation Committee. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said people could be divided into two segments - good people and the bad. "Joe is in the former.I can describe him as a beautiful man. He adopted a very simple way of living. That is the greatest lesson he taught us.We gathered here today to honour that quality," he said. The Prime Minister presented a Rs. 50,000 cash award to veteran artistes Alexander Fernando, J.H. Jayawardena, Chitra Wakista, Artygala Sarathchandra, Monika Ruwanpathirana and Haroon Lantra. Joe Abeywickrema received a cheque for Rs.1 million and a double cab worth Rs. 1 million. Minister Dissanayake said he initiated this event with the blessings of the Prime Minister. Similar events will follow annually to felicitate six artistes in need of help because they render services with the only hope of receiving recognition and appreciation, he said. The occasion titled Chiran Jayathu Joe began at 7 p.m. with the arrival of Joe Abeywickrema flanked by Minister Dissanayake and Rural Economy Minister and Deputy Finance Minister Bandula Gunawardena. Ministers W.J.M. Lokubandara, Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku, R.A.D. Sirisena and Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena were among the distinguished invitees. Ravindra Randeniya sang a song from the film Sweep Ticket. Malini Fonseka also paid a tribute to Joe Abeywickrema. |
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