A cultural pageant was held at the UNESCO Headquarters , Paris recently during the International Vesak celebrations with the participation of Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Nepal, Thailand, Indonesia and China. First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa was the chief guest accompanied by the Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunge. Presidential Advisor on Buddhist Religious Affairs Ven. Bodagama Chandima Thera was also present. Here the First Lady presents a gift to a child who took part in an event.
Pic: Lalith Welivitigoda

The Hunupolagedara road in Panduwasnuwara, Kurunegala was repaired at a cost of Rs. 2.5 million by the Ministry of Highways following a request by the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils Indika Bandaranayake. Here the Deputy Minister unveils the name board at a ceremony recently. Pic: by S.M. Wijayaratne, Kurunegala Cor.

The Past Pupils’ Association of St. Gabriel's College, Yatiyantota held its Annual General Meeting at the Yatiyantota Church recently. Here two past pupils felicitate a former teacher Ambrose Santiagu by draping a gold shawl round him. Pic: Joseph Anthony, Dehiowita Spl. Cor.

The Divisional Development Committee (DDC) meeting of Irakkamam Division was held recently at Divisional Secretariat Auditorium, Irakkamam. Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister A. L. M. Athaullah chaired the meeting. Here, Minister Athaullah addressing the gathering. Eastern Province Road Development Minister M.S. Udumalebbe, Irakkamam Pradeshiya Sabah Chairman U. L. Jabeer, Divisional Secretary M. I. Mansoor and Department Heads were present.
Pic: I. L. M. Rizan, Addalaichenai Central Cor.

The diplomatic corps accredited in Switzerland undertook a visit to the Republic and Canton of Neuchatel in Switzerland, following an invitation from the Swiss President of the Confederation, Didier Burkhalter. Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Germany, Sarath Kongahage was in the delegation including Mr. Burkhalter and Mrs. Friedrun Sabine Burkhalter. From the Swiss capital Berne, the delegation travelled to Neuchatel and visited the Institute of Micro-Engineering of the Polytechnic University of Lausanne.

Twenty four shops were destroyed by a fire which broke out in Pundaluoya, Kothmale last February. The OIC of the Pundaluoya Police Harendra Kalugmpitiya was the first to rush to the place and took measures to control the fire. Here Minister of Public Management Reforms Navin Dissanayake felicitates him at a ceremony at the Divisional Secretariat, Kotmale recently. Divisional Secretary, Kotmale, Menaka Herath, Chairman, Kotmale Pradeshiya Sabha, Ajith Mendis and Coordinating Secretary to the Minister Wijayarathna Dewagedara were also present.