Her courage and commitment, having escaped the first attempt on her life, is an ineluctable mark of her fearless character to take up the challenge posed by terrorism. In refusing to bow down to terrorism she has given hope to other South Asians facing the brutal horrors of this menace in the region said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a condolence message to the family of late Benazir Bhutto.

Government has given priority to the development of a national economy and is engaged in a massive effort to defend the pioneers of indigenous economic development, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing a meeting of newly recruited Staff Assistants of the Bank of Ceylon held at the Presidential Secretariat, Colombo yesterday (27).

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday repeated his call to the LTTE to resume peace negotiations after abandoning arms. “A political solution is viable only after terrorism is wiped out” the President said after declaring open the Mahanama Bridge in Matara to mark the third year remembrance of the tsunami devastation.

The Christian message of love that is recalled every Christmas has a special meaning for the poor and the less advantaged who seek comfort in this world, and also touches all species in our world. Christmas, therefore, should be a season where the love of human kindness is extended to all beings, beginning with the lowliest, and including birds and animals too, if the message of the manger where Jesus Christ was born is to have full meaning said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a Christmas Day message.

On this day that is special to the Muslims, we look forward to the day when the Muslims from the North will be able to return to their homes there and renew life in peace and harmony said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his Hajj message.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa participated at an official Christmas event organized by the Department of Christian Religious Affairs at Temple Trees, Colombo yesterday (19).

It is my aim to provide equal health facilities for everyone and to set up a fully equipped hospital in every district said President Mahinda Rajapaksa. 

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today (17) opened the newly re-constructed Galle International Cricket stadium that was destroyed in the tsunami of December 26, 2004.

I assure you Sir Arthur that my administration will do all within its power to seek to make a reality of one of your three wishes “a lasting peace in Sri Lanka” said President Mahinda Rajapaksa at a felicitation ceremony to honor Sir Arthur C Clarke today in Colombo.

Distinguished scientist Sir Arthur C Clarke will be felicitated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at a ceremony to be held at the International Hall of the Central Bank, Colombo, tomorrow (December 16).

President Mahinda Rajapaksa after successful visits to Japan and UK returned to the island today (December 14, 2007).

President Mahinda Rajapaksa was the chief guest at the passing out parade of the new batch officers of the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth yesterday (December 13, 2007).

President Mahinda Rajapaksa left for the UK on an invitation extended by the British Naval Commander Admiral Jonathan Band to participate at the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth, Devon passing out parade scheduled to be held today (December 13).

Japan`s Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said on Monday (Dec 10) that Tokyo would continue to offer economic assistance to Sri Lanka despite the suspension of some U.S. and British aid this year over alleged human rights abuses related to the ongoing armed conflict in Sri Lanka, wire services reported.

Terrorism has no place in modern history. It is not an acceptable means of expressing political dissent. There is no excuse for killing innocent children, women and men and terrorise innocent civilians, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the Upper House of the Japanese Parliament yesterday (10).

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa met Emperor Komatsu Akihito and Empress Shoda Michiko at Imperial Palace, Tokyo this morning (10). Emperor Akihitho also hosted a Lunch at the Imperial Palace in honour of the President.

Japan will officially approve economic assistance of 1.9 billion yen in grants-in-aid to Sri Lanka next week to promote peace and mid- to long-term economic development and to eradicate poverty in the country. Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura told this when he met President Mahinda Rajapaksa today (10) in Tokyo.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa felicitated Muttiah Muralitharan and Sanath Jayasuriya for their achievements in cricket and contribution to cricket in Sri Lanka at a tea party held at Temple Trees today (December 07, 2007).

We must show our unity and voice strongly against terrorism. We must put our petty political differences aside and join together to end terrorism in Sri Lanka, President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing a large gathering of Sri Lankans at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, will leave for Japan for a 4-day official visit tomorrow (December 8, 2007).