Autism Awareness Campaign welcomes Sri Lankan Education Ministry Initiative

Ivan and Charika Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign welcomed the move by the Ministry of Education in Sri Lanka to reach out to the autistic community in the island.Ten autistic children who were already in special education units in schools in the Western Province were taken so that the National Resource Centre in Maharagama could train Sri Lankan teachers to be sent all over the country. Already, 30 special education teachers have been trained there. The Government of Sri Lanka are now committed to an 'inclusion policy' and are focusing attention on autistic children for the first time.

Ivan and Charika Corea have commended this start. 'Children with autism and Asperger's Syndrome in Sri Lanka desperately need help. We need to bring them into our world. We urge the Miistry of Education to develop autism units in schools and we are calling upon Sri Lankan businessmen to build and fund autism units in schools and build and maintain fully functional sensory rooms, we call upon the Sri Lankan expatriate community around the world to help all children with special educational needs in this way,' said Ivan Corea.

Thousands of autistic children are kept at home without any access to education. There are issues of culture and autism is also confused with mental illness. Medical and education professionals need training in autism. There are children who remain undiagnosed. There is a lack of awareness of autism in the provincial towns and villages.

The Corea Family have also been in touch with former US President Bill Clinton who is the United Nations Envoy to the tsunsmi hit countries. There is a real need for SEN schools in the tsunami hit regions.

Autism is a neuro developmental disorder affecting 38,000 Sri Lankans and some say there is an increase in numbers of those touched by autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Ivan and Charika Corea have been appealing to the Government of Sri Lanka to provide public services in education, health, specialist speech therapy and respite care for all people with autism in Sri Lanka. They launched their campaign in Colombo in 2003.

Backing for the Autism Awareness Campaign came from the highly influential European Union parliamentarian, Nirj Deva MEP who is visiting Colombo. Deva who was born in Sri Lanka and is one of the MEPs representing the United Kingdom reiterated his strong support for the campaign. Deva is a member of the European Union Development and Co-operation Committee,Substitute Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism Committee. He is also fully involved in the work of the EU in the tsunami hit regions.

Support also came from the Sri Lankan superstar Desmond De Silva who created history by being the first Sri Lankan musician to appeal on autism when he addressed over a thousand people at a music concert at the BMICH in Colombo on 6th August 2005.

De Silva is an international star who has peformed all over the world. He told the audience:' Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder affecting so many around the world. Autism is not mental illness, these children and adults think differently. Albert Einstein they say was autistic. How many in the audience know that there are 38,000 autistic people in Sri Lanka? So we as entertainers, urge you all to ‘speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.’ Lets spread awareness of autism, particularly when numbers of autistic children are rising and we urge our government to also provide public services – who knows we may even produce Albert Einsteins if we provide education, health, specialist speech therapy for autistic children in our lovely island,' said Desmond de Silva.

One of Sri Lanka's greatest singer/songwriters, the renowned musician Nimal Mendis also threw in his support for the Autism Awareness Campaign.

Desmond de Silva appeals on Autism in Sri Lanka

Superstar, Desmond de Silva, who created history by becoming the first ever Sri Lankan artiste to appeal on behalf of the 38,000 people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome on the island.

Children and people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome struggle without access the public services of health, education, specialist speech therapy and respite care. There are only a handful of private schools catering to the needs of autistic children in Sri Lanka. The Autism Awareness Campaign Sri Lanka have been appealing for more public services for all people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome on the island. The numbers of autistic children are rising in Sri Lanka and all over the world.Sri Lankan teachers and medical professionals need to receive training on strategies to deal with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Many of these children are kept at home and do not have access to education.Many Sri Lankan children remain undiagnosed and parents are desperate for help.

Desmond de Silva is one of Sri Lanka's popular entertainers and is known as the 'King of Baila.' De Silva has performed all over the world and sold huge quantities of Baila CDs. He is the first top class musician to speak on a public stage in Colombo about children and people with autism.

The occasion was a 'Grand Salute to Vijaya Corea' the former Director-General of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation in Colombo who celebrated 40 years in showbizness. The music show was held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Hall and organised by DR Entertainment. De Silva presented Vijaya Corea with a 'Lifetime Achievement Award' for raising awareness of autism. Vijaya Corea received a standing ovation from over 1,500 people present at the concert. Also present was the distinguished European Union parliamentarian, Nirj Deva MEP who is currently visiting Sri Lanka.

Desmond De Silva said in Colombo: ' Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder affecting so many around the world. Autism is not mental illness, these children and adults think differently. Albert Einstein they say was autistic. How many in the audience know that there are 38,000 autistic people in Sri Lanka? So we as entertainers, urge you all to ‘speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.’ Lets spread awareness of autism, particularly when numbers of autistic children are rising and we urge our government to also provide public services – who knows we may even produce Albert Einsteins if we provide education, health, specialist speech therapy for autistic children in our lovely island....'

Desmond de Silva presents Lifetime Achievement Award to Vijaya Corea

Sri Lankan superstar, Desmond de Silva presented a LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD on behalf of the Autism Awareness Campaign to Vijaya Corea who celebrated 40 years in show business. The award was presented by Desmond de Silva, Mignonne Fernando of the Jetliners fame, Sunil Perera of the Gypsies, Annesley Malawana, Nimal Mendis and other stars at a packed conference on hall at the BMICH in Colombo on Saturday 6th August 2005. Also present at the BMICH was the distinguished European Union parliamentarian Nirj Deva.

Desmond de Silva, addressing the large audience in Colombo said:‘ We are gathered here as entertainers for a very special moment in this spectacular concert. We are here to pay tribute to Dr. Vijaya Corea who celebrates 40 years in broadcasting and as a showbiz man. But there is a ‘little known’ fact - Vijaya has a heart for people and children with disabilities.

Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder affecting so many around the world. Autism is not mental illness, these children and adults think differently. Albert Einstein they say was autistic. How many in the audience know that there are 38,000 autistic people in Sri Lanka? So we as entertainers, urge you all to ‘speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.’ Lets spread awareness of autism, particularly when numbers of autistic children are rising and we urge our government to also provide public services – who knows we may even produce Albert Einsteins if we provide education, health, specialist speech therapy for autistic children in our lovely island.

Vijaya has a heart for children with autism – wherever he has travelled, he has raised awareness of autism. On behalf of the Autism Awareness Campaign I take great pleasure and I want Vijaya to come up to the stage so that we could present him with this LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.’

Nimal Mendis Charity Concert for Richmond Fellowship Sri Lanka

Top Sri Lankan star, Nimal Mendis, now resident in London, has flown to Colombo to headline a key fund raising concert for the Richmond Fellowship in Sri Lanka.

Nimal Mendis will sing his Tsunami Sri Lanka song for the first time on the island. He is in Colombo to stage a concert to launch his Tsunami Sri Lanka song The Sea Speaks To You, Earth Mother Crying, War on the Environment, Shanti Town, The Forgotten People and Master Sir. His participation is towards a fund raising campaign for the Richmond Fellowship Lanka who are dedicated to rehabilitating the mentally ill with a view to integrating them to the family and society.

This concert will be held on August 7 at the Global Towers, Marine Drive, Wellawatte, Colombo at 7.00 p.m. A crusader for creative and original song writing, using the Sri Lankan folk idiom, Nimal Mendis was successful in influencing many a young lyricist and music composer in acknowledging the wealth in Sri Lankan folk music and adapting it with western overtones, to bring about a new identity in music.

On a Decca folk album of Nimal Mendis, Record producer Ray Horricks says "His work combines an awareness of western melody and harmony with great originality in his story ideas, while there is a very exotic eastern flavour about his choice of words. Also he features several unusual rhythmic feelings..."

The Richmond Fellowship Lanka will also hold an exclusive Exhibition and Sale from 10.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m., which will be on till Tuesday, August 9. The exhibition and sale which will also be at the Global Towers, Marine Dive, is an endeavor to promote the craftsmanship of our urban and rural brothers and sisters. Designers from Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh along with the urban and rural folk have created the most beautiful and fashionable silks, cottons, textured fabrics, saris, kurthas, shirts, jewelry, handicrafts, paintings, table and bed linen and more.

All proceeds from the concert by Nimal Mendis and by the Exhibition and Sale will go towards the building of the new home at Bopitiya for which two million rupees is required to complete the construction of the residency, and to enable the Richmond Fellowship to rehouse their residents after their home was affected by the tsunami.

Nimal Mendis will also sing his hit 'Master Sir' at a Grand Salute to Sri Lankan Showbiz personality Vijaya Corea at the BMICH in Colombo on the previous day. Mendis is one of only a handful of Sri Lankan musicians to make it in the United Kingdom. He has appeared on BBC Television's 'Top of the Pops' in the height of the 1960s.

World Music Central article:
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20050802142714653

DESMOND DE SILVA FLIES FOR GRAND SALUTE TO VIJAYA COREA

Desmond de Silva, the top Sri Lankan musician now resident in London flies down to Colombo on Sri Lankan Airlines to headline a star studded concert at the BMICH paying tribute to Vijaya Corea who clebrates 40 years as a showbiz personality. Desmond de Silva joins a line up which includes Alston Koch who flies down from Australia, Mignonne Fernando of Jetliners fame and others.

Also in the audience will be the Sri Lankan star Nimal Mendis - Nimal will sing one of his greatest hits 'Master Sir' at the BMICH Concert. Young, dynamic and vibrant, the voice of the inimitable Vijaya Corea was heard to adorn the airwaves through the only electronic medium in this country at that time - the Commercial Service of Radio Ceylon. Little did he know then that he would climax his career as Director General of the same radio station which later became the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.

Vijaya Corea became a household name. No big show or dance ever went on the boards without him as Master of Ceremonies. His tall personality and the mellifluous flow of words that poured out with a spontaneity linked to his command of the English Language brought him much admiration. Twelve years down the line, in July 1976 when Sri Lanka hosted the 5th Non-aligned Summit Conference, in Association with Yugoslav Radio and Television, he was at the helm of the first ever television transmission in Sri Lanka.

Three more years down the line in September 1979 when Air Ceylon? switched to Air Lanka, Vijaya was the first to enunciate a 'Taste of paradise' during the promotional campaigns that were conducted in Europe and Southeast Asia. To add to his multi talented character, he has adorned the silver screen on many occasions.

He will, in fact, be seen in Udayakantha Warnasuriya's Hiri Poda Wessa which is due to be released in the latter part of this year.

Vijaya Corea has been a staunch supporter of the Autism Awareness Campaign in Sri Lanka. He has strived to raise awareness of autism both in Sri Lanka and as well on the international field.