President Mahinda Rajapaksa awarded a cash prize of Rs. 4.5 million and a block of land to Sri Lanka's First-ever Paralympic medal winner, Pradeep Sanjaya for winning the bronze medal in the 400m one arm paralyzed event at the 2012 London Paralympic Games, at a function held at Temple Trees today (13).

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma says he was glad to see the cheerful faces of people in North and East in Sri Lanka living happily after the terrorism which made them suffer for more than three decades was defeated.

It is unfortunate that today, many impressions of Sri Lanka in foreign countries, are based on un-verified facts, and wrong or deliberately manipulated disinformation, carried out by those who once supported the forces of terror. These same elements continue to sow the seeds of division and separatism through various media, and also influence politicians in their new countries of domicile, to act against Sri Lanka, based on such disinformation, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

These Provincial Councils Elections, which enters the annals of electoral history as the tenth successive election won under my leadership since 2005, have served as a test of national opinion that brought out a wide and clear expression of the thinking among the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities, and gave further vigor to our development policies carried out with the strengthening of democracy, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

We are pleased with the Indian government's assurance to ensure the safety of Sri Lankans visiting Tamil Nadu, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

The Government brought an incredible level of development to the country in a short period of 3 years. Benefits of that development are enjoyed by all people in Sri Lanka irrespective of race, religion and caste, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday requested the opposition parties not to misguide the school children and get them involved in politics.

High profile international investors are now setting their sights on Sri Lanka. The country, a major shipping hub attracting a good deal of investment from China, is rebuilding after a three-decade of war. All in all, money managers say the economy is growing and not as exposed to the headwinds in the global economy, says Barron’s, which is the America’s premier financial magazine.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa held bilateral discussions with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the sidelines of the 16th NAM Summit in Tehran.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari called for diversifying trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka to promote greater economic interaction between the two countries.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in Sri Lanka this morning after participating in the 16th Non-Aligned Summit, which concluded in the Iranian capital of Tehran on Friday after the adoption of the outcome documents which lay emphasis on peace.

Global financial institutions must reflect the changes in the international arena today. In the face of numerous challenges, not only are many developing countries managing their economies successfully, but global financial power has also been shifting from the industrialized North to the power houses of the South. It is time that this shift begins to be reflected in the global structures, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said at the 16th Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Tehran today.

National Defence Minister of China General Liang Guanglie who arrived in Sri Lanka on a five day official visit yesterday called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Temple Trees.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa expressed hope the Non- Aligned Movement (NAM) would achieve its objectives during Iran's presidency over the organization for the next three years.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday visited the drought-stricken Polonnaruwa to personally meet the farmers and inquire the problems faced by them.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will leave this evening for the 16th Non-Aligned Movement currently being held in Teheran.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said he is not only President of the Sinhalese, but, of all the communities in Sri Lanka.

There are groups who attempt to damage peace through creating feelings of communal hatred in the country which our war heroes protected scarifying their lives. But we will never allow them to destroy the peace in our country, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The county had now reached a stage of rapid development, and this should be carried out for the benefit of the large majority of the people. The Government rejects development projects that oppress people and deprive them of the right to property, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Presidents Sri Lanka and Maldives agreed to extend and strengthen cooperation in human resource development, defense and security and protection of the resources and sea lanes in the Indian Ocean.