The Hindu : Front Page : Film stars observe fast in Chennai

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Film stars observe fast in Chennai

Special Correspondent

To express solidarity with Sri Lankan Tamils

— Photo: M. Vedhan

In Support: Actors at a dawn-to-dusk fast at the South Indian Artistes Association in Chennai on Saturday.

CHENNAI: Tamil film actors came together on Saturday to express solidarity with the Sri Lankan Tamils and to demand a ceasefire in the country. Clad in black shirts, actors under the banner of South Indian Artistes Association (SIAA) called for the intervention of the Indian Government to restore peace in Sri Lanka. The artistes also contributed a total of Rs.45,78,714 towards Sri Lankan Tamils Relief Fund.

The premises of SIAA saw a steady flow of not only film stars but also fans who wanted to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars.

Before making speeches the actors lit a candle by way of condoling those who were killed in the war. The speakers avoided making any statement in support of the LTTE as the SIAA had issued a specific direction to the actors against creating controversies.

Actor Sivakumar, who participated with his sons Surya and Karthik said he had a dream in which a solution was found. Superstar Rajinikanth said that the State and Central governments should pressurise the Sri Lankan Government to stop the “genocide.”

Kamal Haasan said that the Sri Lankan ethnic crisis should be viewed as a global issue and not just as a burning issue for Tamil Nadu.

A resolution passed at the end of the protest urged the Indian Government to take serious steps to impress upon the Sri Lankan Government through the Union External Affairs Ministry and through official diplomatic channels to stop the war. President of SIAA Sarathkumar read out the resolutions.

In another resolution, Sarathkumar said that the money collected through the Association would be handed over to the Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi, for the Sri Lankan Tamils Relief Fund.

He wanted the relief materials to reach the Tamils in Sri Lanka through any approved UN agencies or the Red Cross.

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