Desmond de Silva's Concert for Autism Sri Lanka in Sydney a Huge Success

Sri Lankan superstar, the London-based Desmond de Silva performed to a packed Oatlands House Functions Centre in Sydney, Australia, in the first ever Concert for Autism Sri Lanka.

Desmond de Silva was accompanied by the highly acclaimed Raddy Ferreira Orchestra.De Silva is sperheading a massive fundraising campaign to build a School for Autism in Colombo, Sri Lanka - the land of his baith. Desmond de Silva is known the world over as the 'King of Baila' and has performed all over the world. He is planning a World Roadshow in 2006-2007 in order to help children with autism in Sri Lanka.

Desmond de Silva created history by being the first ever Sri Lankan musician to appeal on behalf of people with autism in Sri Lanka at a concert held at the BMICH in Colombo in 2005.

De Silva received a standing ovation when he told the audience of thousands at the BMICH: 'Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder affecting so many around the world. Autism is not mental illness, these children and adults think differently. Albert Einstein they say was autistic. How many in the audience know that there are 38,000 autistic people in Sri Lanka? So we as entertainers, urge you all to ‘speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.’ Lets spread awareness of autism, particularly when numbers of autistic children are rising and we urge our government to also provide public services – who knows we may even produce Albert Einsteins if we provide education, health, specialist speech therapy for autistic children in our lovely island….' said De Silva.

Ivan Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign congratulated Desmond de Silva on his successful concert for autism in Sydney, Australia held on 31st March, 2006. 'Desmond has a heart of gold, he is doing all he can to raise awareness of autism which affects 38,000 children in Sri Lanka,' he said.

The Autism Awareness Campaign Sri Lanka have urged western philanthropists and NGOs to come to Sri Lanka and build SEN/Autism Units and equip them with badly needed sensory rooms and other equipment in order to help children with autism - not just in Colombo but all over the island and work with the Ministry of Education to reach out to children with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Teachers also need training in educational strategies - but funding is needed.