A call from ET and peace in Sri Lanka: Arthur C Clarke’s wish list

TURNING 90 yesterday, British science fiction writer and visionary Sir Arthur C Clarke had three birthday wishes: For ET to call, for man to kick his oil habit and for peace in his adoptive Sri Lanka.

Marking his “90th orbit of the sun,” the prolific author and theorist who was one of the first to suggest the use of satellites orbiting the earth for communications, would like to be remembered foremost as a writer — and predicts commercial space travel will one day be commonplace.

“If I may be allowed just three wishes... I would like to see some evidence of extraterrestrial life. I’ve always believed we’re not alone in the universe, but we’re still waiting for ET to call us or give us some kind of sign,” he said.