Japan honours Lankan artistes with BUNKA

Five local artistes representing different areas in arts were honoured with awards at the 14th Bunka (Cultural) Awards organized by the Japan Sri Lanka Friendship Cultural Fund. Five Sri Lankan artistes Damitha Abeyrathne (Acting Film and TV), Nilar Cassim (Lyric Writing), Thumindu Kithsirimevan Dodantenna (Drama and Theatre), Sharmini Rajadurai (Dancing) and Darshana Pradeep Ratnayake (Music) received the prestigious Bunka (Cultural) Awards at the ceremony held last November 10, 2007 at the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation TV Studio.

L to R Sharmini Rajadurai, Thumindu Dodantenna, Darshana Pradeep Ratnayake, Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Ambassador of Japan Kiyoshi Araki, Nilar Cassim and Damitha Abeyratne.

The Bunka Awards are presented annually by the Japan Sri Lanka Friendship Cultural Fund, which was established in 1993, on the initiative of the Japanese Solidarity Association and the Japanese Commerce and Industry Association in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan. For the past thirteen years 78 such awards have been presented to mid-career individuals and organizations on the basis of their creative activities in culture and the arts, in order to encourage and promote individual and collective talent in these fields in Sri Lanka.

This year Minister of Cultural Affairs Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, graced the occasion as Chief Guest while Deshamanya Dr. P. R. Anthonis and Mr. T. Yamazaki Co-Chairpersons of the Selection Committee of the Japan Sri Lanka Friendship Cultural Fund, Kiyoshi Araki, Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka and a distinguished gathering of invitees including several Sri Lankan cultural artistes were present on this occasion.

Apart from the performances by award winners, the highlight of the ceremony was a special guest performance by renowned Japanese musicians, Mr. Takayuki MATSUDA (on Shamisen), Mr. Akihisa KOMINATO (on Shakuhachi) and Mr. Naosaburo BIHO (on Taiko - Drums), who entertained the audience with some fabulous Japanese music played on a traditional Japanese musical instruments.