The annual ‘Jaya Pirith’ chanting ceremony, organized by the Ministry of Defence to invoke blessings on the country and the people was held under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) premises, yesterday (26).
The ‘Jaya Piritha’ chanting ceremony was held with the participation of 1,000 Bhikkhus invited from across the country including Maha Nayaka and Anunayaka Theras. Invoking blessings on family members of fallen war heroes, disabled war heroes and the Tri-Forces is another objective of this religious ceremony.
The Jaya Piritha was initially held under a notion of the former Defence Secretary and current President Gotabaya Rajapaksa with the participation of between 3,000 to 5,000 Bhikkhus. Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne said that due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic situation, only 1,000 Bhikkhus have been invited to chant the Jaya Pirith this year.
Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne and Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath carried the sacred relics casket and Piruwana Poth Wahanse (Pirith Volume) to the ‘Pirith Mandapaya’ and later President Rajapaksa placed the sacred relics casket in the ‘Pirith Mandapaya’ and offered Gilanpasa Pooja and Adishtana Pooja in order to invite the Maha Sangha to chant Jaya Piritha.
The Maha Sangha conducting the sermon wished the entire nation good health and happiness following the success of the programmes carried out by the health sector to control the COVID-19 pandemic. The Maha Sangha emphasized that it is the responsibility of all to understand the challenging time period faced by the entire world during the past two years and to assist in achieving the success of the President’s initiatives for the future of the country.
The chanting of Jaya Pirith commenced after the sermons conducted by the Anunayaka Thera of Malwatta Chapter the Most Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thera, Anunayake of the Asgiriya Chapter, Most Venerable Veduruwe Upali Thera, Mahanayake of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya Most Venerable Makulewe Wimala Nayake Thera, Supreme Leader of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya Most Ven. Dodampahala Chandrasiri Thera and Ven. Prof. Medagoda Abhayatissa Thera.
The President also participated in the alms giving ceremony held this morning (27).
The Presidential Secretariat, the Ministries of Home Affairs, Defence, Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, the office of the Chief of Defence Staff, the Three Armed Forces, the Sri Lanka Police and the Civil Security Department contributed to this religious event.
Cabinet Ministers, Governors, State Ministers, Members of Parliament and People’s Representatives, Secretary to the President, Principal Advisor to the President and other Government Officials including the Secretary to the Prime Minister, members of the Armed Forces, Police and Civil Security Department, and family members of war veterans were also present.
The “Shilpa Abhimani-2021” Presidential Handicraft Awards Ceremony was held under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre today (25).
The “Shilpa Abhimani-2021” Presidential Handicraft Awards Ceremony is held annually with the aim of preserving, developing and encouraging outstanding creations of traditional, cultural and artistic value.
The awards ceremony was organized by the National Crafts Council under the guidance of the State Ministry of Rattan, Brass, Pottery, Furniture and Rural Industrial Promotion. At this Awards ceremony, the creative works of traditional and modern artisans across the country were evaluated at the provincial and national levels.
A Panel of Judges of university lecturers and professors selected the designs under 21 main categories. Silver awards were presented to the winners selected at the provincial level out of 8,000 creations.
The President presented ‘Gold Awards’ to two nationally acclaimed artistes in the fields of traditional and modern art. State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera presented financial assistance to two artisans, symbolizing the provision of lifelong financial assistance to artisans who have made contributions for the betterment of the handicrafts sector.
Addressing the awards ceremony, Rattan, Brass, Pottery, Furniture and Rural Industrial Promotion State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera said that despite the Covid-19 pandemic, his ministry took measures to uplift the conditions of the traditional industrialists by providing the necessary infrastructure.
The State Minister said that it was a special achievement for the designers to be able to sell local handicrafts through the latest technology, international market and internet.
Mass Media Minister Dullas Alahapperuma presented a postage stamp and a first day cover issued to mark the awards ceremony, to the President.
President Rajapaksa inspected the winning creations in the ‘Shilpa Abhimani – 2021’ competition and congratulated the award-winning artistes.
Minister Wimal Weerawansa, Secretaries to Ministries, Chairman of the National Crafts Council Sampath Erahapola, government officials, award winning artistes and many others were present at the awards ceremony.
The first copy of the book titled “THE CONFLICT THAT ELUDED PEACE” written by former Army Commander Retired General Shantha Kottegoda was presented to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat today (24).
The book is based on former Army Commander Kottegoda ‘s 36 years of military experience.
Mr. Kottegoda said that this is a comparative analysis of the victories as well as setbacks on the battlefield during his service first as a Major in an Infantry Regiment and finally as an Army Commander.
The Government intends to assist in the cultivation of green gram in the lands where paddy cannot be cultivated, and as an additional crop during the harvesting seasons.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has taken this decision taking into consideration the information received during the inspection tour of the Agrarian Development Department.
The President instructed the Ministry of Agriculture to provide financial assistance to farmers who are unable to cultivate paddy during the Yala Season due to lack of irrigation facilities to obtain green gram seeds and when cultivating green gram as an additional crop during the harvesting seasons.
The results of patient and well-planned decisions are now becoming a reality. The Maha Sangha pointed out that it is the responsibility of all parties to unite to achieve the aspirations of the people by placing trust on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as a visionary and pragmatic leader.
These remarks were made by the Maha Sangha during the 12th meeting of the Buddhist Advisory Council held at the Presidential Secretariat, yesterday (21).
The Maha Sangha expressed their views at the Buddhist Advisory Council appreciating the President’s leadership in protecting the people from the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuilding the country in the face of challenges and economic hardships.
The Maha Sangha pointed out that the trust placed in President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the only leader who was able to save the country, the nation and the heritage that was deteriorating has not been diminished and the people should be made aware of the steps that were taken by the President during the last two years to protect the Kuragala Sacred Area, the Muhudu Maha Vihara and other temples in the North and East.
The Maha Sangha also stated that it should be the responsibility of the Buddhist Advisory Council to provide factual information regarding the issues faced by the people of the country and to assist the President in finding solutions.
The President stated that he expects the guidance of the Maha Sangha to adopt laws and on national dialogues. President Rajapaksa said that as the Sinhala-Buddhist heritage, which was on the verge of extinction, was preserved despite the COVID-19 obstacles, steps will be taken to develop those historic sites while continuing the task to fulfill the aspirations of the majority of the people.
The Maha Sangha, who are the members of the Buddhist Advisory Council, State Minister Vidura Wickremanayake, Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath, Principal Advisor to President Lalith Weeratunga, Secretaries to Ministries and Government Officials were also present.
Supervision by a Head of State for the first time in history…
- Inspect distribution, use and productivity of organic fertilizer …
- Steps to cultivate paddy fields after finding reasons for paddy land abandonment
- Technical knowledge for Agricultural Research and Production Assistants …
- Focus on promoting Agrarian Banks …
– President instructs
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa made a sudden inspection visit to the Department of Agrarian Development, which belongs to the Ministry of Agriculture, located at Sri Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo 07, today (21).
The vision of the Department of Agrarian Development is the “Sustainable development of the agrarian society and all agricultural lands in Sri Lanka” and the mission is “Formulation and timely maintenance of institutional, ancillary, legal and management services so as to ensure sustainable development of the agrarian society of Sri Lanka and making optimal productivity from all agricultural lands”.
The purpose of the President’s observation visit is to ascertain whether those objectives were being pursued properly. This is the first time in the decades-long history of the department that a Head of State has made a visit.
The President inspected all divisions including the Agrarian Review Board, Agrarian Banks, Administration, Accounts, Development, Legal, Corporate Development (Services), Productivity and Marketing, Engineering and Water Management and for nearly three hours, the President engaged in a discussion with officials and employees regarding the steps that should be taken for the promotion of agricultural sector.
Green agriculture and the non-toxic food production is the policy of the government. The President pointed out that the distribution, use and yield of organic fertilizer during the Maha Season should be investigated and preparations for the Yala Season should be made on those findings to avoid shortcomings. \
Thirty-four public and private companies were given the opportunity to produce organic fertilizer. We need to look into the produce and success achieved by using organic fertilizers in each institution. It was decided to encourage companies that have made high progress and to increase their production. The President also emphasized the need to impart technical knowledge to agricultural research officers to educate farmers in the coming seasons.
The officials pointed out that during the last two years, under the programme to re-cultivate the abandoned paddy fields it has been able to cultivate all the fallow paddy lands in nine districts including Anuradhapura, Hambantota, Trincomalee, Ampara and Batticaloa.
Other barren paddy fields island wide have also been identified and most of them belong to Kalutara, Galle and Matara districts. The President instructed the officials to find the reasons for not cultivating them and to take steps to cultivate the agricultural lands with the intervention of the owners and farmers’ organizations.
The President emphasized that the lands that could not be used for paddy cultivation should be used for cultivation of other crops.
The Department of Agrarian Development accepts funds and lends money to farmers through 559 Agrarian Bank branches. Loans ranging from Rs. 200,000 to Rs.1 million will be given to farmers based on Yala or Maha Season and on a yearly system. The officials pointed out that this would alleviate many of the problems faced by the farmers when taking loans at high interest rates from other parties. Considering the importance of this, the President instructed to look into the possibility of strengthening the Agrarian Bank network and intervening to purchase paddy from farmers at higher prices.
Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa, Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Cabinet and State Ministry Secretaries were also present.
– Lord Tariq Ahmad: UK State Minister for South Asia, United Nations and the Commonwealth
The United Kingdom’s State Minister for South Asia, United Nations and the Commonwealth, Lord Tariq Ahmad said that Sri Lanka’s programme to empower human rights is making great strides.
He further stated that Sri Lanka will be able to resolve all issues pertaining to human rights by moving forward with a pragmatic approach to further strengthen it.
Minister Ahmad made these remarks when he called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (20).
As Minister of State for South Asia, the United Nations and Commonwealth, Lord Ahmad has been entrusted with a number of responsibilities including co-operation with the Indian Ocean region, Central Asia and the Commonwealth.
Responding to a request made by the President to assist Sri Lanka in achieving its goals in the renewable energy sector by overcoming technical hurdles, Lord Ahmad said he would look into the matter as soon as possible when he returns to his country and extend all possible assistance in this regard.
He pointed out that facilitating investment in Sri Lanka could attract more investors, adding that people living in the United Kingdom belonging to different ethnic groups were looking forward to making new investments in Sri Lanka.
An agreement has been already signed with the United Kingdom to provide employment opportunities for Sri Lankan healthcare workers. Lord Ahmad also promised to explore the possibility of developing cooperation in the economic sphere.
The Government aims to solve all the issues faced by Sri Lankans and create an environment where all Sri Lankans can live as one people. The President expressed the willingness to work with the Sri Lankan Diaspora in the United Kingdom in this regard and requested Lord Tariq Ahmad to provide an opportunity for discussions with the Diaspora.
Lord Ahmad said that the United Kingdom is always ready to work in harmony as a close and pragmatic friend of Sri Lanka.
The year 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka. A celebration is planned to be held to mark this milestone. Discussions were also held to promote the cultural and artistic aspects of the two countries and to enhance the relationship between the people of the two countries during these celebrations.
British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Sarah Hulton, First Secretary Mathew Deith, Lord Tariq Ahmad’s Assistant Isabelle Scott, Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage were also present.
The renovated ‘Sirimathipaya,’ the Prime Minister’s Office at Flower Road, Colombo, was declared open by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa this morning (20).
After unveiling the plaque, the President placed flowers at the Buddha statue at the office premises symbolizing the commencement of duties.
President Rajapaksa inspected the photographs displayed in the renovated office and inspected the office premises as well. A first day cover and a commemorative postage stamp was also released marking the inauguration of the duties of the new office under the aegis of the President.
The Sri Lanka Navy renovated the building under the supervision of former Secretary to the Prime Minister Gamini Senarath as per the vision of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
This two-storeyed mansion was built by Albert Emmanuel de Silva in 1916 for his son Sir Albert Ernest de Silva. The mansion was handed over to the State by family members in 1960 following the demise of Sir Ernest de Silva.
The Ministry of Education and Broadcasting, and the Ministry of Local Government, Housing and Construction were then established in Sirimathipaya. In 1978, the then Prime Minister Ranasinghe Premadasa established the Prime Minister’s Office in Sirimathipaya.
Sirimathipaya, which is more than a hundred years old, has undergone a complete overhaul after 44 years.
A book consisting of the history and photographs of Sirimathipaya was presented to the President by the President’s Secretary Gamini Senarath.
The President posed for a photograph with the former Secretaries to the Prime Ministers, marking the inauguration of the renovated Prime Minister’s Office. The President also left a note in the book for special guests.
Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, State Minister Vidura Wickremanayake, Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake, former Prime Ministers’ Secretaries, government officials and relatives of Albert Ernest de Silva were also present.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa paid his last respects to the late Air Chief Marshal Pathman Hariprasadha Mendis, the first Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
President Rajapaksa visited the private funeral parlour in Mount Lavinia this morning (19) and expressed his condolences to the family members after paying last respects.
Beginning his career as the Fifth Apprentice Officer of the Royal Ceylon Air Force, Mr. Mendis became the first Sri Lankan to be trained as a Pilot Instructor and Flight Instructor in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Hariprasadha Mendis was appointed as the fourth Commander of the Royal Ceylon Air Force in 1971. The Royal Ceylon Air Force became the Sri Lanka Air Force in 1972 in which he was the first Air Force Commander.
Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Defence Ministry Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Jagath Alwis and Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana accompanied the President.