(NIDAHASA News) “Why my parents gave me birth into this godforsaken 'Disneyland'?” an emotional Jagath Manuwarna broke down to tear in a press conference yesterday; he was among the artists who were attacked on Monday (29) during a street campaign in Kurunegala.

“I ask my parents, why didn't choked me to death in the moment I born into this weird Bollywood movie called 'Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka?' Now the only thing you can do for me is to buy me a Lamborghini, to race [with sons of Persident Rajapaksa],” the popular actor said sarcastically.

“Thuggery have become a qualification for politicians to climb up in their political career,” popular novelist Mohan Raj Madawala says.

Addressing the special media briefing organized by Next Generation artist's collective, popular author said now government goons have become so “brave” they do not even try to hide their identity.

The artist's collective called this beefing after Monday's attack on their street campaign in Kumbukgate, Kurunegala. Samanalee Fonseka, Udaya Dharmawardhana and Lakshman Wijesekara injured in this attack.

“These local politicians now know this kind of behaviors would help them to the next level of political ladder,” Madawala explained how political system works under current regime.

“Can't you see the brutality of this corrupted regime?” actress Samanalee Fonseka asked senior artists who pledged their support to President Rajapaksa.

How can you stand with thugs, to protect a corrupted rule, Fonseka questioned.

“Government is attacking local artists while using Bollywood superstars for their election campaign,” popular author Upul Shantha Sannasgala said.

We will continue our struggle even after the election to protest civil rights in this country, Sannasgala added.

“It is clear that we are going back to the savage era,” senior playwright and actor Jayalath Manorathna said adding that the country is now ran by “jungle law.”

North Western Provincial Council member Don Kamal Indika, who allegedly led the attack, surrendered to the police this morning (31). There were around 150 goons with Provincial Councilor; most of them in Namal Rajapaksa’s “Nil Balakaya” T-shirts. However “Nil Balakaya” denied any involvement into the attack.

(NIDAHASA News) “Racism is a butchery where the butcher satisfies us using our own flesh”, a young artist expressed his view in an event held in Colombo to commemorate the black July of 1983.

Janaka Illangarathne's work titled “Jaathi Mas” was a big attraction among many installations and performance arts exhibited at the anti-racist event “No More July”, held on this Wednesday (23).

Janaka Illangarathne's “Jaathi Mas” (Photo:Fabian De Alwis Gunasekare)

Hundreds of activists and artists gathered into the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to remember the anti-Tamil riot of 1983, which claimed many lived and caused heavy damaged to Tamil-owned properties, and according to some critics, paved way for separatist LTTE to establish their ideology among the Tamil majority.

Organizers said they are attempting to “make a change in the way July is remembered in a culture which historical injustices are tend to be forgotten.”

Bandu Mananperi's “Firecracker Dress” (Photo: KCThomas)

Janani Cooray's “Red Hands” (Photo: KCThomas)

Two performance arts, Bandu Mananperi's “Firecracker Dress” and Janani Cooray's “Red Hands” also attracted heavy public favor.

Ten musical bands including Ajith Kumarasiri, Indrachapa Liyanage, Skitzo and Amila Sandaruwan performed on the stage.

Second Edition(NIDAHASA News) Journalist and activist Sanjaya Senanayake passed away on Wednesday (21).

“Sanjaya Senanayake passed away peacefully… after a long battle with cancer. He had asked that his friends be notified about his death.” his Facebook status said.

His ability to work as a one-man documentary film crew helped him report unseen stories from North and East even under difficult conditions.

He was a brave fighter against all kinds of injustice and been admired for his rare human qualities.

Sanjaya had been working as media head of Transparency International and many other local international media outlets. He also worked as a lecturer in local media schools.

Best known for his dexterity behind the camera Sanjaya was an intellectual, of various facets, in his own right. Son of Human Rights activist Sunila Abeysekara, Sanjaya was for many a revered teacher notably in striving for self-governance and perseverance.

Cremation will take place at 3.00 pm on the afternoon of Saturday, 24th May 2014 at the Godigamuwa Cemetery, Maharagama.