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President Mahinda Rajapaksa attended the
state ceremony which was held to mark the seven hundredth
year anniversary of the Asgiriya Maha Vihara in Kandy. Here,
Asgiriya Mahanayake Thera Most Ven. Udugama Sri
Buddhrakkhitha Nayaka Thera presenting a replica of a dagoba
to the President. Malwatte Anunayaka Thera Most. Ven.
Niyangoda Wijithasiri Thera, Central Province Governer
Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Central Province Chief Minister Sarath
Ekanayaka, Defence Ministry Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa,
Religious Affiars Ministry Secretary Cassian Herath and
Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara were also present.
Pic: Nalin Hewapathirana |
President's historic visit to Cuba
President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in Havana, Cuba on Friday on a
historic official visit that will strengthen the diplomatic, economic
and cultural ties between the two island nations. Cuba and Sri Lanka
established diplomatic relations in July 1959 and ties developed namely
in education, health, culture and sports.
Cuban Vice Foreign Minister Ana Teresita Gonzalez welcomed President
Rajapaksa at the Jose Marti International Airport.
President Rajapaksa was due to pay a floral tribute at the monument
of National Hero Jose Marti and hold talks with President Raul Castro.
He will also meet the relatives of the Five Cuban Heroes held by the
US and tour the Laboratorios Biologicos Farmaceuticos (Biological
Pharmaceutical Laboratory) and the Old Havana historic centre.
Both countries have supported each other at world fora. All Sri
Lankan Governments have voted against the US economic sanctions imposed
on Cuba. The President's latest visit will consolidate these strong
ties.
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Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh
Ahmad Al-Sabah called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at
Temple Trees on Thursday. Al-Sabah, a council member of
International Olympic Committee since 1992 and is also the
President of Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC),
is a former Minister of Information and Oil in Kuwait and
also the Kuwait Olympic Committee President, Afro Asian
Games Council Chairman. Here President Rajapaksa with Sheikh
Ahmad Al-Sabah. Pic: Chandana Perera |
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