DAMITHA ABYERATNE

The entire world has been gripped by the pandemic. We as a small country should be extra vigilant and take good care of ourselves with responsibility. As artistes we know that many earn a living as and when they work. There is no permanent income. In addition to artistes, there are hundreds of others belonging to other departments in the arts field. This is the peak period in our career as artistes. I lost four overseas tours and a host of other shows. We survive the whole year with what we earn during this season. We formed a new forum of professional tele artistes recently. On March 31, this alliance together with the Nidahas Kala Sandanaya and Telenisa forwarded an appeal to the government seeking a concessionary loan for artistes. I am glad that the response has been favourable. Together with ITN chairman Sudath Rohana, we distributed relief goods to some 4000 artistes. This calamity has taught us an important lesson that we must respect Mother Nature and be aware of its supremacy.