Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has emphasised the unifying power of art at a ceremony honouring veteran singer Dr. Sujatha Attanayake's seven-decade contribution to Sri Lankan music and culture.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya addressed a gathering at the Kumaratunga Munidasa Studio to pay tribute to Dr. Sujatha Attanayake, marking the singer's more than seven decades of contributions to Sri Lankan music and broadcasting. The felicitation ceremony, titled "Dr. Sujatha Attanayake Pranama," recognised the veteran artiste's extraordinary career, which began when she was eight years old.
Addressing the event, the Prime Minister underscored art's capacity to transcend ethnic, religious, and linguistic boundaries, describing humanity and unity as the true language of great art. She characterised Dr. Attanayake as an exemplary figure in preserving and strengthening Sri Lanka's cultural heritage, noting that the singer's voice had become intertwined with significant moments in the lives of Sri Lankans across generations.
The Prime Minister highlighted Dr. Attanayake's work in crossing cultural divides through performances in Sinhala, Tamil, and Islamic musical traditions. According to the Prime Minister, the singer's career demonstrated how artistic expression can foster coexistence, mutual understanding, and compassion among the country's diverse communities. She stressed that Sri Lanka's arts and culture belong to all communities and have been enriched by the nation's varied ethnicities, languages, and traditions.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya emphasised that enduring artistic works emerge when people respect differences and collaborate together. She concluded by suggesting that Sri Lanka's future depends on cooperation, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to building a society founded on brotherhood.
