Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya has said that great art transcends ethnic, religious and linguistic differences, and that the true language of great art is humanity and unity.
The Prime Minister was speaking at the “Dr. Sujatha Attanayake Pranama” felicitation ceremony held at the Kumaratunga Munidasa Studio in honour of the veteran songstress, recognising her contribution of more than seven decades to Sri Lankan music and broadcasting.
Amarasuriya praised Attanayake’s artistic journey, which began at the age of eight and went on to win the admiration of successive generations of Sri Lankans.
A nation’s cultural identity is shaped not only by its history but also by the songs, voices and artistic creations that remain alive in the memories of its people, the Prime Minister said, describing Attanayake as one of the finest examples of an artiste who has helped preserve and strengthen Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage.
Recalling the singer’s influence across seven decades, she said Attanayake’s voice had been part of the lives of Sri Lankans in moments of joy, sorrow, love and devotion.
“Dr. Sujatha Attanayake sang not merely songs, but emotions,” the Prime Minister said.
Amarasuriya noted that Attanayake’s music had crossed cultural boundaries through her performances in Sinhala, Tamil and Islamic musical traditions, and said the artiste’s work had helped promote coexistence, mutual understanding and compassion among Sri Lanka’s communities.
The Prime Minister said Sri Lanka’s arts and culture belong to all communities and have been enriched by the country’s diverse ethnicities, languages and traditions, adding that lasting works of art are created when people respect their differences and move forward together.
She said Sri Lanka’s future depends on cooperation, mutual respect and a shared commitment to building a society based on brotherhood.
