Tony Blair, Lee Scott Presented With A Nimal Mendis Song For Autism

Main Category: Autism
Article Date: 02 May 2007 - 11:00 PDT

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Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair and the influential parliamentarian Lee Scott MP for Ilford North were recently presented with a song for Autism, 'Open Every Door,' recorded by the Sri Lanka-born singer/songwriter, Nimal Mendis.

Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder that may affect 1 in 100 children in the United Kingdom and 1 in 150 children in the United States. In Sri Lanka - the land of birth of Nimal Mendis - they say there 39,000 children with autism who are struggling to have access to education, health, specialist speech therapy and respite care. There are 60 million people with autism around the world.

Nimal Mendis is an award-winning singer/song writer from Sri Lanka. He recorded 22 songs on the Decca Label in London in the 1960s. He also appeared with Sandra Edema as 'Rajah and Rani,' singing their hit song, 'Feel Like A Clown' on BBC Television's 'Top of the Pops' music program in the 1960s. Mendis has also produced television documentaries for Channel 4 and BBC TV.

This is the first time that a singer/songwriter from South Asia has recorded a song for autism. Mendis is hoping that an international artiste will record 'Open Every Door,' a moving account of life with a child with autism.

The presentation a song for autism to Tony Blair and Lee Scott MP was made by Ivan Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK. Autism campaigners are calling on the Government to do more for all people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome by launching a 10 year program of action and a national strategy on autism.

The Autism Report, calling for radical action, was presented to Tony Blair. Lee Scott MP has been championing the cause of autism in the House of Commons. His debate on autism in Westminster Hall is widely regarded as a key debate in recent history.

-- Lee Scott MP
-- www.number-10.gov.uk

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