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 The Sri Lankan cultural extravaganza, 'We Children of the Pearl,' was an outstanding success in London. The Sri Lankan cultural show was held on Saturday 15th December 2007 at Imperial College in London in front of a huge audience. Sri Lanka's diplomatic envoy to the Court of St. James, Mrs Kshenuka Senewiratne, High Commissioner, was behind the whole idea of organizing an event in partnership with Britain's large Sri Lankan Community to celebrate diversity.
Diplomats at the Sri Lanka High Commission worked as a team to put on a visual experience. The President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapakse, the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and Mayor of London Ken Livingstone sent their best wishes. The program included the London Premiere of Ishan Perusinghe's 'We Children of the Pearl' play. The event included a veena performance, devotional dance, Muslim songs, a medley of Malay songs and Inang Dance, Gajaga and Ves dance, a Bharatha Natyam performance, a dance fusion when the two great dance traditions of South Asia - Kandyan dance and Bharatha Natyam performed as one, Kafarainge dance, Giridevi dance, the stunning performance of the only all-girl Kandyan drum group in London with the drums of Sri Lanka and a music fusion item by the Sigiri Band.
The award winning Sri Lankan singer/songwriter Nimal Mendis was present and two of his compositions 'Mother Lanka' and 'Daughters Sons' were played at the event. The Sri Lankan music icon was invited onto the stage to address the gathering. The audience also sang to the words of Chris Dhason's song 'We are Sri Lankan.'The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Mrs Kshenuka Senewiratne told World Music Central she was delighted with the outcome of this unique event which promoted unity and diversity.
'We, Children of the Pearl' was directed by Sri Lanka's distinguished actor and director Gamini Abeysinghe.
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