Anuradhapura felicitates Lanka's literati

Rasika Somarathna

Anuradhapura: The National Literary Arts Festival-2006, organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage, held in Anuradhapura from September 15, ended yesterday heralding a new era in the field of art, culture and literature. The Ministry had chosen Anuradhapura to hold the festival as the "Rajarata" has been the breeding ground for a heritage of 64 varieties of traditional Sri Lankan art and crafts.

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, Culture and National Heritage Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene and North Central Province Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake were the chief guests. Speaking to the Daily News Minister Abeywardene said : " Art is not only for the sake of art but is also used for the progress and liberation of mankind. Our own ancient literary creations bear testimony to this fact.

What we need today is, such creative work that could discipline the mankind spiritually".

At this festival five distinguished literati Eva Ranaweera, Prof. Wimal Balagalle, Prof. G. Hemapala Wijewardene, Vernon Saldeen were conferred with the "Desha Nethru " honorary title, three distinguished literary personalities Cyril C. Perera (Sinhala Literature), K. Sachithanandan (Tamil Literature) and Prof. D.C.R.A. Gunethilake (English Literature)were conferred with the honorary title "Sahithyarathna" in recognition of their service to the literature.

The Literary Magazine-2006 was also launched to coincide with the occasion.