The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Film fraternity demands ceasefire in Sri Lanka

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Thursday, Nov 06, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Film fraternity demands ceasefire in Sri Lanka

Special Correspondent

FEFSI resolution states it will totally support the State government in its actions

— Photo: M. Karunakaran

EXTENDING SUPPORT: (From left ) Actor and founder of the Akhila India Samathuva Makkal Katchi, Sarathkumar, directors R.K. Selvamani, Bharathirajaa and K. Balachander with S. Vijayan, president of the FEFSI, at a fast in Chennai on Wednesday.

CHENNAI: Demanding immediate ceasefire in Sri Lanka and protesting against the killing of innocent Tamil civilians there, members of the Film Employees’ Federation of South India (FEFSI) observed a fast here on Wednesday.

Speaking at the programme, K. Balachandar, veteran film director, said the FEFSI protest was the fourth phase of a series, which would continue.

Noted director Bharathirajaa said if the Centre wanted, it could stop the war in Sri Lanka. Any delay in handling the issue would only in the wiping out of Tamils in Sri Lanka.

“We should invite the international community to look into the issue,” said Sarathkumar, actor and founder of the Akila India Samathuva Makkal Katchi. While raising the issue one should be cautious and should not deviate from the objective of stopping the war in Sri Lanka.

T. Rajendar, director and actor, said as a Tamilian he would voice his concern for the Tamils suffering in Sri Lanka. The Centre was fully responsible for the war in Sri Lanka, charged R.K. Selvamani, director. All the political parties in the State should join hands and submit a memorandum to the Centre in this regard.

In the forthcoming elections, political parties that were not supporting the Tamil Eelam cause would be defeated, said Mansooralikhan, actor and director.

As a mark of ending the fast, Mr. Balachandar offered juice to the directors and actors on the stage.

The FEFSI passed resolutions, including one urging the State and the Centre to intervene and take steps to order a ceasefire in Sri Lanka.

It would totally support the State government in its actions regarding the Sri Lankan issue. Talks should be resumed in Sri Lanka in which all political parties in Tamil Nadu should take part and steps should be taken to ensure that the relief collected by the State government reached the suffering Tamils in Sri Lanka. Leading stars and directors participated in the programme.

The fast was inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Film Producers Association president Rama Narayanan.

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