Congratulations to Murali, Muttiah Muralitharan, King of the Bowlers

The Autism Awareness Campaign Sri Lanka would like to send their best wishes and warm congratulations to Muttiah Muralitharan, 'Murali' for becoming the leading bowler in the world passing Shane Warnes record of 708 wickets. Murali is a World Champion, the best ever bowler - we want to say well done Murali.

Murali became the world best bowler on Monday 3rd December 2007, the International Day for the Disabled.

Gresha Schuilling Sri Lanka's Ambassador for Autism's Christmas Single

Gresha Schuilling, Sri Lanka's Ambassador for Autism has just released a Christmas single 'Cold Cold Night.' The single was recently released in London by Media Eye Music and radio stations in Sri Lanka are poised to play 'Cold Cold Night' during the Christmas season.

'Cold Cold Night' was written by the father and son duo, Sri Lanka born singer/songwriter Nimal Mendis and his son Paul Marie Mendis.

Gresha Schuilling was appointed an Ambassador for Autism by the Autism Awareness Campaign UK and Sri Lanka.

To download Gresha Schuilling's 'Cold Cold Night' Christmas single for 49 pence please access the website:

http://www.mediaeyeproductions.com/gresha.html

Watch the Autism Action Film on You Tube

Watch the Autism Action film by British film director Ian McLeod highlighting the call of the Autism Awareness Campaign to UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to reach out to all people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

The soundtrack of the film includes the beautiful and moving Nimal Mendis song for autism, 'Open Every Door' sung by the British musician Rozagy who has Asperger's Syndrome. Nimal Mendis is a distinguished singer/songwriter from Sri Lanka - this is the first ever songfor autism composed by a South Asian singer/songwriter.

AUTISM ACTION ON YOU TUBE

Nimal Mendis Song for Autism fundraiser for Autism Speaks UK

London, UK - Asian superstar, the award winning singer/songwriter Nimal Mendis announced in London that his Song for Autism, titled 'Open Every Door' will be used to raise funds for the British charity, Autism Speaks UK

The song for autism can now be downloaded from the mediaeyeproductions website. 50% of every download will go to Autism Speaks UK chaired by the highly respected Dame Stephanie Shirley.

Autism Speaks UK is a registered British charity that raises funds to accelerate biomedical research to determine and understand the causes and biological basis of autism spectrum disorders; and through that understanding to discover and promote new ways of improving the quality of life for all those affected.

Autism is a complex brain disorder that significantly impairs a person's ability to communicate, respond to their surroundings and form relationships with others. The exact cause or causes of autism are at present unknown but there is increasing evidence that accelerating autism research could transform people's understanding of autism and lead to more effective interventions and treatments. There are 587,900 people with autism in the UK. According to UK Researchers 1 in 100 children may have autism. There are 60 million people with autism around the world.

The 'Open Every Doors' CD was personally handed over to British Prime Minister Tony Blair by Ivan Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK. Mr. Corea has also handed over copies of the CD containing the song for autism to the Prime Minister-in-waiting Gordon Brown, the Leader of the Opposition David Cameron and the Leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Menzies Campbell.

Nimal Mendis has joined British musicians in urging the Prime Minister-in-waiting Gordon Brown who is at present the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the UK to take decisive action on autism and Asperger's Syndrome and help parents, care providers and people with autism who are in need. They are calling for an end to the postcode lottery in education, health, specialist speech therapy and respite care in the UK. Many suffer without access to proper public services - some councils even withhold statements to autistic children on the grounds of cost. There is huge momentum in the British parliament for radical change in policy.

A copy of the Autism Report detailing the concerns and recommendations of the campaign was presented to the British Prime Minister Tony Blair on the 25th of April by Lee Scott MP and Ivan Corea, autism campaigner.

A copy of 'Open Every Door' was also presented to the influential British Parliamentarian, Lee Scott MP who has championed the cause of autism in the House of Commons.

Nimal Mendis hopes that his song for autism will help raise awareness of the condition around the world. 'Open Every Door' is the first ever song on autism written by a South Asian singer/songwriter. Mendis has written a moving song about the life of a child with autism.

To download 'Open Every Door' the song for autism in aid of Autism Speaks UK go to www.mediaeyeproductions.com/downloads.html

To find out information about Autism Speaks UK: www.autismspeaks.org.uk.

WORLD MUSIC CENTRAL INDIA NEWS REPORT
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20070603033945273

Autism Awareness Ribbons presented to Freddie Flintoff and Mahela Jayawardene at Lords

Autism Awareness Ribbons were presented to the England Captain Freddie Flintoff and Sri Lanka's captain Mahela Jayawardene during the First Test at Lords Cricket Grounds in St.John's Wood, London. The autism ribbons were handed over at Lords by Ivan Corea, founder of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK and Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's captain, Mahela Jayawardene, (Man of the Match ) scored a memorable century at Lords on Sunday bringing dignity back to the Sri Lankan side. Autism ribbons were also handed over to distinguished English cricketing personalities Jonathan Agnew and Henry Bloefeld who are members of BBC Radio 4's 'Test Match Special' commentary team. Writing to both Freddie Flintoff and Mahela Jayawardene, Ivan Corea urged the cricketing community to 'speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.' Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder that affects 535,000 people in the United Kingdom and 38,000 people with autism in Sri Lanka. Many struggle without access to public services in education, health, specialist speech therapy and respite care.

There are only two schools who can offer only a few places for children with autism in Sri Lanka. The vast majority have no access to education many are kept at home due to reasons of culture.

Ivan Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign has commended the efforts of the 'king of Baila' the London based Sri Lankan superstar, Desmond de Silva who hopes to embark upon a massive fund raising effort to build the first school for autism in Colombo. Desmond de Silva in his first concert for Autism Sri Lanka performed to a packed centre in Sydney Australia earlier this year. He plans to launch a roadshow covering several countries in his efforts to reach out to children with autism in Sri Lanka and raise funds for the new school.

Huge Success for Desmond de Silva's Concert for Autism in Sydney Australia

The 'King of Baila' the Sri Lanka - born singer, Desmond de Silva, thrilled hundreds at the Oatlands Centre in Sydney, Australia when he performed at a major fundraising event. The Concert for Autism was held in Sydney in order to raise funds for the School of Autism in Colombo.The Concert for Autism was held on 31st March 2006.

Desmond de Silva is the first Sri Lankan entertainer ever to speak about Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. The superstar who has sold millions of CDs around the world and has entertained audiences as far afield as the United States, UK, Bahrain, Dubai, India, Singapore, Greece and Australia won a standing ovation when he raised the profile of autism at a music concert at the BMICH in Colombo in 2005.

Desmond de Silva told thousands at the BMICH 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....'

Ivan Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign Sri Lanka congratulated Desmond de Silva on his outstanding efforts at his Concert for Autism Sri Lanka in Sydney held on 31st March 2006. 'Desmond has a heart of gold, he is one in a million and through his dedication and commitment and that of his supporters we will see great things happening in Colombo to help children with autism,' he said.

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.

Ivan Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign met with His Excellency Mahinda Rajapakse when he was Prime Minister. Mr. Corea spoke to H.E.Mahinda Rajapakse who was presented with an Autism Awareness Ribbon at the Sri Lanka High Commission in London.

President Rajapakse recently speaking in Colombo said: "I want the fruits of our work for children to spread evenly throughout the country from Point Pedro to Dondra Head and Colombo to Batticaloa encompassing the entire land.

"There is one dream that drives me, that is to see all children be they Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher and all others live as brothers and sisters of a single mother in the new Sri Lanka that we shall build," President Rajapakse said.

Ivan Corea urged the President to look into the crying needs of the 38,000 autistic children in Sri Lanka. Many are kept at home due to culture. Autism is also confused with mental illness. Life is a struggle for parents, carers and autists in Sri Lanka. Many remain undiagnosed. Teachers and medical professionals need training on autism and Asperger's Syndrome.Mr.Corea urged 'Equality for All' including children with special educational needs in Sri Lanka.

Desmond de Silva Autism Concert in Sydney Australia

Once again, Sri Lankan superstar Desmond de Silva has pioneered the way by being the first Sri Lankan musician to headline the first ever Autism Concert in Sydney, Australia in aid of autistic children on the island of Sri Lanka. The concert is being held in 2006 which is Asperger's Awareness Year.

'Desmond has a heart of gold, he is reaching out to people with autism and the Autism Awareness Campaign Sri Lanka are grateful to the 'King of Baila' for raising awareness about the condition. Desmond de Silva is making a difference,' said Ivan Corea who initiated the campaign in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2003.

Desmond de Silva is one of Sri Lanka's leading musicians. He has enthralled audiences all over the world. His CDs have sold millions all over the globe.Desmond was touched to hear about the plight of 38,000 autistic children in Sri Lanka - only a handful are being helped in schools and parents, carers and autists have to struggle to access public services in health, education specialist speech therapy and respite care on the island.

Other leading Sri Lankan musicians have come forward to support the Autism Awareness Campaign including Sunil Perera and the Gypsies, Mignonne Fernando of 'The Jetliners' fame and Nimal Mendis the distinguished singer/songwriter.

Last year Ivan Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign met with His Excellency Mahinda Rajapakse when he was Prime Minister. Mr. Corea spoke to H.E.Mahinda Rajapakse who was presented with an Autism Awareness Ribbon at the Sri Lanka High Commission in London.

President Rajapakse recently speaking in Colombo said: "I want the fruits of our work for children to spread evenly throughout the country from Point Pedro to Dondra Head and Colombo to Batticaloa encompassing the entire land.

"There is one dream that drives me, that is to see all children be they Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher and all others live as brothers and sisters of a single mother in the new Sri Lanka that we shall build," President Rajapakse said.

Ivan Corea urged the President to look into the crying needs of the 38,000 autistic children in Sri Lanka. Many are kept at home due to culture. Autism is also confused with mental illness. Life is a struggle for parents, carers and autists in Sri Lanka. Many remain undiagnosed. Teachers and medical professionals need training on autism and Asperger's Syndrome.Mr.Corea urged 'Equality for All' including all children with special educational needs in Sri Lanka.

Desmond de Silva will headline the first ever Autism Concert for Sri Lanka in Sydney Australia on the 31st of March. Desmond de Silva will be backed by the highly acclaimed Raddy Ferreira Orchestra known in Australia as one of the finest, swingiest and most versatile dance orchestras. The exclusive dinner will be held on the 31st of March 2006 at Oatlands House, 42 Bettington Av. Oatlands 2117. The Oatlands House Functions Centre is situated in Sydney’s Hills and Hawkesbury region -located in the north west of Greater Sydney.

Desmond de Silva created history by being the first ever Sri Lankan musician to appeal on behalf of people with autism in Sri Lanka at a concert held at the BMICH in Colombo.

De Silva received a standing ovation when he told the audience of thousands at the BMICH: '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 De Silva.

Sri Lankan entertainers are scheduled to join the campaign and support the message that people with autism in Sri Lanka need help. The Autism Awareness Campaign Sri Lanka have urged western philanthropists and NGOs to come to Sri Lanka and build Autism Units and equip them with badly needed sensory rooms and other equipment in order to help children with autism - not just in Colombo but all over the island and work with the Ministry of Education to reach out to children with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.. Teachers also need training in educational strategies - but funding is needed.

For further details of the Desmond de Silva Concert for Autism, held in Sydney, Australia, please access the website:
Ozlanka - http://www.ozlanka.com/mar06/desmond.htm