CNN - the international channel really highlighted autism for several days -it was unique coverage by the news channel to mark the first ever United Nations World Autism Awareness Day, declared by the UN General Assembly and tabled by the State of Qatar, on Wednesday 2nd April 2008. WAAD was fully supported by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. This event was historic and CNN dedicated so much television time to autism.

CNN has now released the 'Fighting for Autism,' Report by the respected CNN anchor Max Foster from London. CNN interviewed Ivan Corea, son of Vernon Corea who has spearheaded the Autism Awareness Campaign.

Vernon Corea fully supported the work of the the Autism Awareness Campaign UK.

The distinguished singer/songwriter Nimal Mendis who wrote the song for autism, 'Open Every Door' will be releasing a new cover version sung by the South Asian musician Gresha Schuilling to mark the United Nations World Autism Awareness Day, declared by the United Nations General Assembly in New York for Wednesday 2nd April 2008.

Nimal Mendis was a close friend of the late Vernon Corea who promoted his music over the airwaves of Radio Ceylon in the 1950s. Nimal Mendis wrote the song for autism 'Open Every Door' for Vernon Corea's grandson,Charin.

This is the first ever song for autism written by a South Asian singer/songwriter. The song is being released through Media Eye Music in London.

For further information please see:
http://www.mediaeyeproductions.com

Sri Lanka's 'Ambassador for Autism,' Gresha Schuilling has released her first single in the United Kingdom - it is a Christmas single titled: 'Cold Cold Night' released by MediaEye Music in London.

'Cold Cold Night' was written by the distinguished Sri Lanka born singer/songwriter Nimal Mendis and his son Paul Marie Mendis who live in the UK. Nimal Mendis was a close friend of Vernon Corea. Vernon has played his music not only on Radio Ceylon/Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation but also on BBC Radio London's 'London Sounds Eastern.'

To download Gresha Schuilling's 'Cold Cold Night' Christmas single for only 49 pence please access the website:

http://www.mediaeyeproductions.com/gresha.html

To read the World Music Central article on Gresha Schuilling: http://worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20071117184314243

Watch the 3 minute film on Autism Action on You Tube. The film, directed by Ian McLeod has been released by the Autism Awareness Campaign.

Vernon Corea fully supported the Autism Awareness Campaign UK.

Watch the Autism Action film by British film director Ian McLeod on You Tube featuring the call of the Autism Awareness Campaign. The appeal is aimed at Prime Minister Gordon Brown - the Autism Awareness Campaign is calling on the Prime Minister to do more for all people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome in the UK.

The soundtrack of the film includes the beautiful and moving Nimal Mendis song for autism, 'Open Every Door' sung by British musician Rozagy who has Asperger's Syndrome.

Vernon Corea fully supported the Autism Awareness Campaign UK.

AUTISM ACTION ON YOU TUBE

The Asian superstar, the distinguished Sri Lankan singer songwriter Nimal Mendis who was a friend of Vernon Corea released a song for autism titled 'Open Every Door' in May 2007.

Nimal Mendis was inspired by the Autism Awareness Campaign UK. Vernon's grandson, Charin is featured on the front cover of the song for autism CD.

Nimal Mendis has deicated his song for autism to Autism Speaks UK. He hopes the song will raise awareness of the condition - 587,900 people in the UK have autism, 39,000 in Sri Lanka are on the autism spectrum and also raise funds for autism research in order to help all people with autism.

To download the Nimal Mendis song for autism, 'Open Every Door' please access the webpage:
http://www.mediaeyeproductions.com/downloads.html

Prime Minister Tony Blair met with Vernon's son Ivan Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK and Lee Scott MP for Ilford North on Wednesday 25th April in the House of Commons in the Palace of Westminster.

Autism campaigner Ivan Corea presented the Prime Minister with the Autism Report detailing concerns and recommendations. The Autism Awareness Campaign UK is calling for a national strategy on autism and a 10 year plan of action in order to help parents, carers and all people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

Please read the following news reports on the meeting with the Prime Minister on Autism:

http://www.huliq.com/20018/uk-prime-minister-tony-blair-meets-autism-campaigners
http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/page11529.asp

Suddenly parliamentarians in the Palace of Westminster are talking about autism. This is due to the tremendous efforts by influential parliamentarian Lee Scott MP for Ilford North.

Lee Scott in his historic debate on autism in Westminster Hall in London mentioned Vernon Corea's grandson, Charin who is 11 years old and has ASD.The debate, supported by MPs was held on 7th March 2007.

Vernon Corea fully supported the Autism Awareness Campaign before he died in 2002. He spoke to so many broadcasters at the BBC about autism - he was a senior manager at the BBC and was the Corporation's Ethnic Minorities Advisor.

Vernon Corea attended the parliamentary debates on autism in 2002 Autism Awareness Year and he was present at the historic service for autism held at St.Paul's Cathedral in London. There were hundreds of families with autistic children, adults with autism, parents and carers, dignitaries and celebrities at the first ever service for autism at St.Paul's Cathedral.

To read Lee Scott MP's major debate on autism in Hansard please click on the link below:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070307/halltext/70307h0009.htm

Cliff Richard rocked Sri Lanka when he toured Colombo for the first time on his 'Here and Now Tour' on 23rd February 2007. The concert was a sell out. Cliff Richard is currently enjoying the beaches of Sri Lanka - he leaves Sri Lanka for the Maldives on Monday 26th February.

He released his first British rock and roll single 'Move It' in 1958. Vernon Corea was an announcer with Radio Ceylon and he helped make 'Move It' a hit across South Asia when he featured Cliff Richard on his radio programs. People in India bought transistor radios to listen to Radio Ceylon. The station not only played Hindi film music they also played western popular music to their Asian audiences. Radio was King in the Indian sub-continent in the 1950s and 1960s.

Radio Ceylon ruled the airwaves in South Asia and it played hit after hit by Cliff Richard on the All Asia beam - thousands of listeners from the Indian sub-continent wrote into Radio Ceylon requesting Cliff Richard songs.

The Hindu Newspaper quoted the celebrated 1970s Jazz Queen of India, Asha Puthli:

‘Asha Puthli was born and raised in Bombay. With a strong grounding in Indian classical music, she stepped forward to European opera. She learnt about Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole from “Voice of America” and about Dusty Springfield and Cliff Richard from Radio Ceylon……’

Even though Vernon Corea became the BBC's Ethnic Minorities Adviser in the 1970s, he never met Cliff Richard. He and other Radio Ceylon broadcasters were instrumental in introducting Cliff Richard to millions in South Asia from 1958 onwards.

Vernon Corea died in New Malden, Surrey in September 2002.

Read the LANKA EVERYTHING News Report on Sir Cliff Richard rocking Sri Lanka:

http://www.lankaeverything.com/vinews/entertainment/20070222182626.php

Listen via LIVE STREAMING to Vernon Corea's beloved Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation:

http://www.slbc.lk/