Film industry rallies behind Sri Lankan Tamils

The Tamil film industry has come out in support of Sri Lankan Tamils who are put to untold suffering on account of the ongoing fighting between the Sri Lankan army and the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) in the northern part of the island nation.

A new forum named "The Film industry's committee for Tamil ethnic spirit" has sent out appeals to all film and television artistes asking them to come together in support of the cause of the suffering Sri Lankan Tamils.

A public demonstration will be held at Rameswaram on Oct. 19 under the leadership of director Bharathirajaa. All sections of the film industry will participate in it to express their solidarity with the Sri Lankan Tamils.

And, all film related activities will be suspended for three days from Oct. 18.

This is the first time Kollywood is extending its support for the cause of Sri Lankan Tamils.

Rama Narayanan, president of the Tamil Film Producers Council, said cinema is a powerful medium and their demonstration will have a huge impact.

The South Indian Film Artistes Association (Nadigar Sangam), which met on Oct.14, pledged its support for the rally but requested that the venue be shifted from Rameswaram to Chennai to ensure total participation of its members. The meeting was presided over by association president R.Sarath Kumar.

Bharathirajaa told mediapersons that the industry's rally at Rameswaram would draw the Union Government's attention to the cause of Tamils in Sri Lanka. "Our struggle will put pressure on the Centre to call for a ceasefire and also act as a morale booster to our ethnic brothers," he added.