Governor Alavi Moulana 40 at heart

Any one celebrating his or her 80th birthday is something special in one's life. Living 80 years is a blessing and is more meaningful when one lives a healthy life.

Governor of the Western Province, Alavi Moulana, the seasoned politician, is one of the old hands who is still in politics and enjoys good health. 'Jana Prasadini', the felicitation ceremony to mark his 80th birthday was held early this week in recognition of services rendered to the working class.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa's friendship with the trade union leader, Moulan dates back to decades. The President was the chief guest at the felicitation ceremony of his close – Moulana is also ally the senior Vice President of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.

"I wish Mr. Moulana long life. He celebrates his 40th birthday. When I see how active he is, I feel that he is not a day more more than 40", President Rajapaksa made a joke recalling past anecdotes of Moulana in his political career.

Veteran politician Alavi Moulana is seen cutting the birthday cake on his eightieth birthday, while President Mahinda Rajapaksa who was the chief guest looks on with other politicians

The President said Moulana was a reputed and genuine politician who says that he never lies. "But once he told me that lies could be pardoned, to re-unite friends. He is a leader who never forgets the Lipton Circus and the Colombo Fort and he will support any trade union action for the betterment of the working class.

Moulana is always with us and we respect him a lot", he said.

Moulana was conferred the Jana Prasadini title for services rendered to the working class. ”Alavi Moulana is a trade unionist and has been an urban councillor, MP and deputy minister. Whatever position he held, he never forgot the working class and always fought for their rights. Despite his status he is always in the forefront when it comes to staging protests to safeguard the rights of the working class", he said. The President also said he has a unique ability to build a rapport with the people. " When a dispute is reported at a workplace, the name of Moulana automatically comes to mind since he has a marvellous ability to overcome such tense situations. He has an extraordinary ability to lead and organise people towards a set goal".

“SLFPers will always remember with gratitude the services rendered by Moulana. The SLFP is proud of Alavi Moulana, the long service rendered to the party. He dedicates his time to obtain maximum benefit for the working class. SLFP members will never forget the services and pivotal role played by Moulana,” President Rajapaksa said adding that Moulana had been a tower of strength and the SLFP for a long time and wished him long life in his service to the nation and the working community.

Buddha’s visit to Mahiyangana

A Pinkama to commemorate the 2600th anniversary of Buddha’s visit to Mahiyangana will be held at the Mahiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya today under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Buddha visited the sacred precincts of the Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya on a Duruthu Pasalosvaka Poya Day 2,600 years ago. A three day Pinkama to mark this historic event begins at the Viharaya today. A Daham-hamuwa which is part of this Pinkama will be held at the Viharaya tomorrow afternoon presided by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Two Dhamma books and two other books depicting the history of the Mahiyangana sacred area will also be launched at this Daham-hamuwa.

While the day’s program will also include the distribution of cash and other donations among selected temples in the Ridimaliyadda Divisional Secretariat division.

A Sanghika Dana to 100 members of the Sangha, Ata-pirikara Pooja to 2,600 members of the Sangha, a ‘Dethis Maha Purusha Lakshana Pooja and a Maha Mal Pooja’ to sprinkle ten million flowers on the “Salapathala Maluwa”.

Three floats carrying Bhikkhus from eight districts chanting Pirith and a motorcade of 100 vehicles from the Colombo Sambuddhaloka Viharaya are due to arrive in Mahiyangana today while several development schemes too will be launched at the sacred area today.

These include the unveiling the limits of the Mahiyangana Sacred Area, laying of foundation stones to a ‘Walakulu Bemma’, the cutting of the first sod to inaugurate construction work on an 84 foot Buddha statue.

'Deyata Kirula' Development Exhibition

President Mahinda Rajapaksa presided over a progress review meeting of construction work relating to the 2012 'Deyata Kirula' Development Exhibition at Temple Trees yesterday.

At this meeting the members of the 'Deyata Kirula' Organising Committee briefed the President about the progress of permanent building construction work at the exhibition grounds as well as the progress of other development work completed in the highways, irrigation, drinking water supply, housing development, electricity supply and telecommunication sectors and the progress in school development work undertaken to coincide with the exhibition, said President’s Media Division sources.

The President has directed officials to provide all facilities to people in the region through the development work undertaken in Anuradhapura district concurrent to the exhibition and to take steps to develop selected places of worship in difficult areas in the district.

The first ticket of the 'Deyata Kirula' development instant lottery ticket and the admission ticket to the 'Deyata Kirula' exhibition was presented to the President by Chairman of the Development Lottery Chandrawansa Pathiraja.

It was pointed out that most buildings built for the Deyata Kirula Exhibition are permanent buildings which will be used to house government departments and offices after the conclusion of the exhibition. The committee also pointed out that steps have already been taken to solve the drinking water supply problem of residents in Oyamaduwa concurrent to the 'Deyata Kirula' exhibition. Telecommunication and Information Technology Minister Ranjith Siyamblapitiya, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunge, Mass Media and Information Ministry Secretary W.B. Ganegala and officials of the 'Deyata Kirula' exhibition organising committee participated at the meeting.