Pictorial:

President at Deepavali celebrations

President Mahinda Rajapaksa participated in the Deepavali celebrations with children in the plantation schools and members of the Tamil community at President's House in Nuwara Eliya.

Disabled and orphaned children in the plantation sector also participated in this ceremony. President Rajapaksa said that all efforts would be taken to make a well mannered society which respects and cares for the elders, parents and teachers. He presented gifts to the children.

The President surrounded by crowds at Depavali celebrations in Nuwara Eliya

The President toured the Nuwara Elya town and instructed officials to stop the cutting of Cypress trees.   Ministers C. B. Rathnayaka and Arumugam Thondalan were also present

President Rajapaksa presenting a laptop to A Thishanthan of Highland Central College, Hatton who won the Junior Mathematics Olympiad in Indonesia.