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Wednesday, 21 April 2010 05:50 |
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa met with leading Indian film star Amitabh Bachchan, Brand Ambassador of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) at Janadhipathi Mandiraya (President’s House) in Colombo this evening ( April 20).
Mr. Bachchan is in Colombo for the official launch if IIFA 2010, the largest annual event of Bollywood cinema which will be held in Colombo in June this year.
At the meeting which lasted 45 minutes, President Rajapaksa and Mr. Bachchan discussed aspects of the Indian and Sri Lankan film industries, with emphasis on developing good cinema of the whole sub-continent, combining the assets and talents of both India and Sri Lanka.
Mr. Bachchan was the guest of President and Madame Shiranthi Rajapaksa.
The Bollywood legend told the President that of all the welcomes he had received over the past 10 years with IIFA, the reception he had received in Sri Lanka was by far the very best. He was also very appreciative of the opportunities for film production available in Sri Lanka, in the current situation of peace and stability that prevails in the country.
President Rajapaksa said the Government was keen to develop the Sri Lanka film industry and saw many possibilities of partnership with India in this regard. Mr. Bachchan was impressed by the work already done in establishing the Mahinda Rajapaksa National Tele-Cinema Park, at Tissamaharama, which is a brainchild of the President.
Mr. Bachchan and President Rajapaksa were agreed on the need and possibility of building bridges of understanding through the cinema, and the Indian star said he was struck by the integration of the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim cultures in the welcome dance forms that he saw, which showed the peoples’ desire to live in peace and harmony. He was also very positive on the prospects of tourism development in Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan President and Mr. Bachchan also discussed cricket which both of them follow keenly, and Mr. Bachchan said he was struck by the very good performance of all Sri Lankan players in the current IPL series. President Rajapaksa said that part of this success was the encouragement given by to rural youth to participate in cricket and intentional sports by the Government.
Also present at the meeting were Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President, Mr. Gamini Senarath, Additional Secretary to the President, Mr. Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Governor of the Central Bank, Mr. George Michael, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Mr. W. B. Ganegala, Secretary Ministry of Media and Information, acclaimed film starts of Sri Lanka Malani Fonseka and Ravindra Randeniya and Ms. Jacqueline Fernandez, a former Miss Sri Lanka; and Mr. Joseph Sabbas and Ms. Shefani Munshi, of Wizcraft Enterprises International of India. |
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Tuesday, 13 April 2010 18:00 |
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It is my belief that these New Year festivities should seek to further unite our people in heart and mind, stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his message for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.
The New Year celebrations by Sinhalese and Tamils alike are most appropriate in recognizing the kinship among us. This is the continuance of strong cultural traditions that strengthen the bonds among the people of our land, he said.
I trust that this Sinhala and Tamil New Year which reflects the unity and pride of our nation will be celebrated by all in the spirit of joy, peace, sharing and contentment which will lead us to a future of prosperity, the President emphasized.
Following is the full text of the message :
This is the first New Year being celebrated in harmony and contentment since the motherland was unified.
It is my belief that these New Year festivities should seek to further unite our people in heart and mind. The New Year celebrations by Sinhalese and Tamils alike are most appropriate in recognizing the kinship among us. This is the continuance of strong cultural traditions that strengthen the bonds among the people of our land.
The government has carried out all necessary measures to bring the joy and meaning of the New Year closer to the people. To this end we have sought to bring prosperity to the nation through agricultural development and encouraging an ethical way of life.
The true spirit of the New Year should be felt most by our children who make up the future generation. It is our responsibility as a nation to teach them the best values and traditions preserved through thousands of years and bestow upon them the cultural heritage that has enriched our nation. Towards this end, it is my wish that every
household will carryout the New Year traditions with hope of auspicious beginnings for the future.
I trust that this Sinhala and Tamil New Year which reflects the unity and pride of our nation will be celebrated by all in the spirit of joy, peace, sharing and contentment which will lead us to a future of prosperity.
I wish you all a Happy New Year!
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Monday, 12 April 2010 03:46 |
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H.E the President Mahinda Rajapaksa sent a condolence message on the tragic demise of His Excellency Lech Kaczynski, President of the Republic of Poland, First Lady Maria Kaczynska and several others, including members of Parliament, members of the clergy and senior civilian and military officials in a plane crash.
The full text of the message
His Excellency Bronislaw Komorowski
Acting President of the Republic of Poland
It was with deep distress that I learned the devastating news of the plane crash that led to the tragic demise of His Excellency Lech Kaczynski, President of the Republic of Poland, First Lady Maria Kaczynska and several others, including Members of Parliament, members of the clergy and senior civilian and military officials.
The late President played an important role in the entrenchment of democratic governance and the dawn of the post communist era in Poland. His contribution to his nation that in turn also facilitated Poland’s regaining her due place both in Europe and in the rest of the international community will long be remembered.
The Government and the people of Sri Lanka join me in conveying our heartfelt sorrow on this sad occasion to the Government and People of Poland and to the bereaved families.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Mahinda Rajapaksa
President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka |
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People are being resettled in several areas of the North and 2216 people who were displaced due to LTTE’s unlawful reign of terror will be resettled in Karachchi area in Kilinochchi, Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services, Rishad Bathiudeen said.
He pointed out that, they will be provided financial assistance of 50,000 Rupees and dry rations, adequate for 6 months. Already 175,000 people have been resettled in the north.
Arrangements are underway for the speedy resettlement of the remaining 60,000 people. The project covers Ganeshapuram, Kattayamalei, Muttu-vinayagapuram villages and Pannikulam and Indupuram areas in East Mankulam.
Resettlement of people has been completed in four Grama Seva divisions at Oddusudan in Mulaitivu. Another 3,000 people will be resettled at Mulleyaweli from Monday.
Courtesy: news.lk |
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The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan, Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering, who is on a two day visit to Sri Lanka from 18-19 February 2010, met with Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama at the Foreign Ministry on 18th February 2010. In keeping with SAARC tradition, the Foreign Minister of Bhutan is scheduled to call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa who currently holds the Chair of SAARC, on 19 February, to hand over an invitation from the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Jigme Yoser Thinley, for the 16th SAARC Summit which will be held in Thimphu from 28-29 April 2010.
Welcoming the Foreign Minister of Bhutan to Sri Lanka, Minister Bogollagama assured him of Sri Lanka’s wholehearted support as Bhutan prepares to assume the Chair of SAARC for the first time since the inception of the Association.
The two ministers discussed a range of issues pertaining to SAARC including the theme of the 16th Summit which is ‘Climate Change’.
Discussions also covered progress on the establishment of the Secretariat of the SAARC Development Fund (SDF) in Thimphu. With the establishment of the Secretariat, it is envisaged that the Fund will begin active operation in serving as the umbrella institution for SAARC projects and programmes.
Foreign Minister Tshering conveyed the greetings of the Prime Minister of Bhutan to Minister Bogollagama and congratulated Sri Lanka for the active stewardship of the Association during the last 18 months since assuming the Chair of SAARC in August 2008. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary and senior officials were also associated with the meeting.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo
18th February 2010 |
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