Government of Sri Lanka to Observe 1 Minute Silence for Arthur C Clarke

The Government while extending deepest condolences on the demise of Arthur.C.Clarke kindly requests that all media institutions in the Island would as a mark of respect observe 1 minute silence from 3.30 -3.31 pm tomorrow Saturday the 22nd of March 2008.

Though already all Television channels, Radio stations, News papers both state and private have recognized him for his contributions we cannot forget the fact that Arthur. Clarke is a special citizen of Sri Lanka, who has chosen Sri Lanka as his homeland and worked towards the advancement of science, education, space and satellite technology and excelled as a science fiction writer.

He was committed to his vocation in life as a unique scientist and science fiction writer with a great passion.

The President of Sri Lanka issued the following statement:

“I am deeply saddened by the demise of Sir Arthur C. Clarke, the most famous person of foreign birth to call Sri Lanka his home.

Living in this his adopted land since 1956, Sir Arthur made important intellectual, cultural and scientific contributions to Sri Lankan development, while engaged in his scientific research and creative writing that earned him well deserved praise the world over.

The people of Sri Lanka were touched by the passion he had for this country, and his close involvement in its progress, especially the courage with which acted for the protection of nature and the environment, long before Climate Change assumed the importance it has today. Always ahead of his time, his response in the aftermath of the devastating Tsunami of 2004 went beyond the harnessing of immediate relief, to focusing international attention on the need for a tsunami warning system.

We were all proud to have this celebrated author, visionary and promoter of space exploration, prophet of satellite communications, great humanist and lover of animals in our midst, fittingly honoured as a Distinguished Citizen of Sri Lanka.

Among the three important wishes Sir Arthur listed at the celebrations to mark his 90th birthday a few months ago was his “desire to see lasting peace in Sri Lanka as soon as possible”.

On this sad occasion, as Sri Lanka joins the world in mourning his sad demise, I wish to reiterate that my government remains committed to do all within its power to make a reality of this wish, which encompasses the desire of all Sri Lankans.”

Sir Arthur.C.Clarke passed away on 19th march 2008 in a private nursing home in Colombo Sri Lanka The international Telecommunication Community will always remember Sir Arthur.C.Clarke for popularizing the concept of utilizing the geo-stationary, orbit for communication as early as 1945 he researched and published a paper titled” Extra Terrestrial Relays - can Rocket Stations give world wide Radio Coverage?” in the British magazine Wireless World. Since then Sir Arthur.C.Clarke has written more than 80 books involving space, science and science fiction and He served as the chancellor of the Katubedda University and patronized the Arthur.C.Clarke center.

Source: Government of Sri Lanka

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