The Ambassador of Spain to Sri Lanka resident in New Delhi Gustavo de Aristegui called on Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G.L. Peiris on Friday. He was accompanied by Honorary Consul for Spain in Sri Lanka, Ms. Priya Jayawardena. Ambassador Gustavo followed up on discussions with Minister for Foreign Affairs José Manuel Garcia–Margallo had with Minister Peiris at their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the NAM Foreign Affairs Ministers’ meeting in Algiers recently. The Spanish Minister expressed his government’s resolve to strengthen political and economic relations with Sri Lanka and also that Spain plans to open a resident mission in Colombo shortly.

Deputy Minister of Trade, Holland Simon Smits and Holland Ambassador in Sri Lanka Louis W.M. Piet called on the Southern Province Governor Dr. Kumari Balasuriya at her official residence ina Galle recently. Pic by: Dr. Richmond Wijesekera, Bentota Gr. Cor.

The Iftar ceremony organised by the Balapitiya Muslim community to symbolise Sinhala-Muslim unity was held at the Balapitiya Muslim Vidyalaya yesterday. Members of the Buddhist and Christian clergy, local businessmen and Provincial Council and Pradeshiya Sabha members were also present. Here Balapitiya SLFP Chief Organiser and Foreign Affairs Monitoring MP, Sachin Vaas Gunawardena takes part in the ceremony.
Pic: Wimal Karunaratne

The 92nd Annual celebrations of the MPCS Bentota was held recently at the Bentota MPCS Auditorium. Here the Chief Guest SPC member Geetha Kumarasinghe lights the oil lamp to open the ceremony. SPC member Jayasiri Nanayakkara, Chairman Bentota MPCS Ranjit Mahavithana were also present.
Pic by: Dr. Richmond Wijesekera, Bentota Gr. Cor.

Thirty five new Naval recruits trained at SLNS 'Vidura' at Sampur passed out in a graceful ceremony yesterday. Rear Admiral A.R. Amarasinghe, RSP, USP, PSC who was the chief guest took the salute. R.H.M.S.M. Ratagedera was adjudged the Best Recruit. Senior Naval officers and parents of new recruits were also present. A total of 10,400 new recruits have passed out from the Sampur Naval College. Pic: Roshan J. Rajasingha, Muttur spl. cor.

The annual feast of St. Anthony's church, Dehiowita, was celebrated on a grand scale. Here the statue of St. Anthony is being taken in procession at night along the streets of Dehiowita town. Pic: Joseph Anthony, Dehiowita Spl. Cor.

The Yatiyantota Sakura Flower, Fruits and Vegetable Growers’ Association held a three day exhibition opposite the Yatiyantota Pradeshiya Sabha. The exhibition was opened by the manageress of Yatiyantota People's Bank P.G. Jayaseeli. Pic: Joseph Anthony, Dehiowita Spl. Cor.