News
Dialog Ridee Reyak 2022 takes centre stage at BMICH
The stars of today and yesteryear from the silver screen will reunite for the 2022 edition of Ridee Reyak, a musical extravaganza sponsored by Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider. This scintillating event is set to take place today (Dec 18) from 6.30 PM at the BMICH and will feature a portfolio of loved Sri Lankan music and dance.
A press release said: In its 20th edition this year, Ridee Reyak by the Cine Star Foundation has grown in status as the most glamorous event in the local entertainment calendar. Through funds generated from Dialog Ridee Reyak, the Cine Star Foundation supports over 320 local cinema artists annually by providing medical and life insurance covers to its members and a monthly stipend for deserving yesteryear artists.
‘Dialog Ridee Reyak 2022’ will feature both rising and veteran actors, who will sing and dance to popular hits. The star-studded line-up will include Malini Fonseka, Ravindra Randeniya, Jeewan Kumaratunga, Cletus Mendis, Sriyani Amarasena, Veena Jayakody, Bandu Samarasinghe, Sriyantha Mendis, Yashodha Wimaladharma, Sangeetha Weeraratne, Channa Perera, Anusha Damayanthi, Nilanthi Dias, Manjula Kumari, Roshan Pilapitiya, Suraj Mapa, Pubudu Chathuranga, Roshan Ranawana, Wasantha Kumaravila, Saranga Disasekara, Chillie Thilanka, Anuj Ranasinghe, Janith Wickramage, Chathurika Peiris, Bimal Jayakodi, Dinakshie Priyasad, Senali Fonseka, Udari Perera, Tharuka Wanniarachchi, Vinu Siriwardana, Mashi Siriwardene, Iresha Asanki, Shanudrie Priyasad, Mihira Sirithilaka, Dusheni De Silva, Tharindi Fernando, Gayan Wickramathilaka, Dineth De Silva and many more. The Channa Upuli Dance troupe, who mesmerized audiences in the previous editions of Dialog Ridee Reyak, will once again light up the stage in the show’s 2022 edition.
Dr Jayantha Dharmadasa, Chairman of the Cine Star Foundation said: “Ridee Reyak was established to incubate and safeguard the welfare and careers of Sri Lanka’s artist community. Under the leadership of Channa Wijewardena and with the collective force of our local artists, I am pleased to say that much like its previous years, the 20th edition of Ridee Reyak too will be a memorable event and one that should not be missed.”
Dr Kishu Gomes, Board Member of the Cine Star Foundation said: “I am pleased and proud that Cine Star has reached a milestone of 20 years of hosting Ridee Reyak. Feats of this magnitude could not be achieved without the support of companies such as Dialog Axiata, who have provided crucial financial backing. Following the aftermath of COVID and the ongoing economic crisis, art has been severely hit. On behalf of Sri Lanka’s creative community, I am grateful to Dialog for always stepping to the plate and providing the needful assistance when required.”
The Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) has contributed LKR 25 million to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund.
The cheque was handed over to the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake by the Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange, Dimuthu Abeyesekera, the Chief Executive Officer Rajeeva Bandaranaike and Senior Vice Chairman Kusal Nissanka at the Presidential Secretariat.
News
Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56
Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing concerns over the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions.The letter was sent in his capacity as Patron of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus.
In his letter, Jayasuriya noted that at the time of Sri Lanka’s independence, political participation was largely limited to an educated, affluent land-owning elite. However, he said a significant social transformation took place after 1956, enabling ordinary citizens to enter politics.
He warned that under current conditions, removing parliamentary pensions would effectively confine politics to the wealthy, business interests, individuals engaged in illicit income-generating activities, and well-funded political parties. Such a move, he said, would discourage honest social workers and individuals of modest means from entering public life.
Jayasuriya also pointed out that while a small number of former MPs, including himself, use their pensions for social and charitable purposes, the majority rely on the pension as a primary source of income.
He urged the President to give due consideration to the matter and take appropriate action, particularly as the government prepares to draft a new constitution.The Bill seeking to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament was presented to Parliament on 07 January by Minister of Justice and National Integration Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara.
Five suspects, including former Minister Johnston Fernando and his two sons, who were arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), were further remanded until 30 January by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The former Minister’s , sons Johan Fernando and Jerome Kenneth Fernando, and two others, were arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of a Sathosa vehicle during Fernando’s tenure as Minister.
Investigations are currently underway into the alleged misuse of state property, including a lorry belonging to Lanka Sathosa, which reportedly caused a significant financial loss to the state.
In connection with the same incident, Indika Ratnamalala, who served as the Transport Manager of Sathosa during
Fernando’s tenure as Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade, was arrested on 04 January.
After being produced before the Wattala Magistrate’s Court, he was ordered to be remanded in custody until 09 January.The former Sathosa Transport Manager was remanded on charges of falsifying documents.
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