Writers felicitated at Trinco literary celebrations

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 12 November 2002, 21:18 GMT]
Three leading writers, Pundit R.Vadivelu, Ms N.Baleswary, Mr.S.Mohamed Anas and a leading local physician Mr.Somapala Ranasinghe were honoured at the Divisional Literary Day celebrations held Tuesday at Trincomalee Town Hall organized by the Trincomalee Divisional Secretariat. Presiding over the celebration, Trincomalee Divisional Secretary Mr. Sundaram Arumainayagam said, "we should preserve our arts and culture from being destroyed. We should not forget that the glory of a race is preserved by its literature and culture."

Members of Tamil, Sinhala and Muslim communities participated in the celebrations. In a message to the Literary Day celebrations, the Chief Secretary of the North East Provincial Council Mr.S.Rangarajah said that literary festivals of this nature contribute to better understanding between the different communities.


"We should instill in the minds of younger generation noble qualities that will enable them to develop as decent human beings," said the Government Agent Mr.N.H.K.Nelumdeniya participating as the chief guest. He further said literature and religion are two sides of a coin that would make a man useful to the society. He lamented that hazing in higher educational institutions create problems for the future generations. This is due to lack of religious education, he added.

Mr.T.Mahendrarajah, Cultural Officer of the Department of Hindu Affairs, in his welcome speech said that the lack of interest of the younger generation in literary activities is a worrisome development. We should arrest this trend to preempt destruction of our cultural values.

Mr.P.Kandiah who is popularly known as 'Gandhi Master' said in his speech that though several universities and schools function in the country, the education does not instill a sense of responsibility to serve the society. Parents too are not proactive in giving proper religious education to their children. The career focused bringing up seldom breeds human beings with healthy minds.

The three writers and the physician were presented with golden shawls during the celebration.

The writers and physicians honoured at the Literary Day celebration are seen with Trinco Divisional Secretary Mr.Sundaram Arumainayagam (extreme left) and Trinco Government Agent Mr.Nelumdeniya (third from left )