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| Wednesday, 7 April 2004 |
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Politics | |
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| Mahinda does Ruhuna proud by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi A son of Ruhuna, veteran politician, trade unionist and a man who always stood with the common masses, Mahinda Rajapakse, was sworn in as the 13th Prime Minister at a simple but solemn ceremony at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday morning. The swearing-in Chamber was packed, even two hours before the ceremony commenced with former colleagues of the previous PA Cabinet, Governors, former MPs, Provincial Council and Local Government members and his loyalists from Hambantota. Among them were former Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickremanayake, Dinesh Gunawardena, Lakshman Kadirgamar, Mangala Samaraweera, Nandana Gunathilake, Alavi Mowlana, Ferial Ashraff, A.L.M. Athaullah, W.D.J. Seneviratne, Dr. Sarath Amunugama and Arjuna Ranatunga. Clad in a cream national dress with his usual dark-red shawl around his neck, Rajapakse entered the chamber around 11.20 am. It was fully packed with media personnel with whom he has been maintaining a good rapport. He was greeted with a standing ovation and applause. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga then entered the Chamber and the swearing in ceremony commenced around 11.30 am. As soon as the swearing in was concluded, the President, the new Prime Minister and other special invitees entered the next Chamber for a reception. The Prime Minister's wife, his three sons and close relatives were also present. Later, Ven. Ittademaliya Indasara Thera, Viharadhipathi of Sambuddhaloka Viharaya, Colombo Fort, delivering an anusasana at the Sambuddhaloka Viharaya, said the people are thankful to the President for appointing Mahinda Rajapakse as the 13th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. "Mahinda Rajapakse is a person who feels the pulse of the people in this country. In fact, this is a huge victory for the people of Ruhuna," added the Thera. Ven. Indasara Thera also said that following the footsteps of his father, Mahinda Rajapakse has been standing with the SLFP during crisis and success. "He is a leader with principles who has won the confidence of every community irrespective of any party, religious and ethnic differences." The Thera noted that people have great expectations in the newly appointed Prime Minister. "People are expecting a great service from Prime Minister Rajapakse. As Buddhist monks, we too commend the new Prime Minister. If the Buddhasasana Ministry comes under the new Prime Minister, he will be able to render a yeoman service to Buddhism," he said. |
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