President to confer national honours

PRESIDENT Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga will be the chief guest at the investiture of National honours to distinguished citizens for outstanding services, at the BMICH today.

All recipients and guests are requested to arrive at the main Assembly Hall at the BMICH at 4.30 p.m. for the ceremony scheduled for 5 p.m.

There will be National Honours conferred to both nationals and non nationals.The highest National Honour to Lankan nationals, Sri Lankabhimanya will be awarded for exceptionally outstanding and most distinguished service to the Nation, while the highest honour to Non-nationals Sri Lanka Ratna (Titular) will be awarded for exceptionally outstanding and most distinguished service to Sri Lanka in particular and/or humanity in general.

The Desamanya award will be bestowed for distinguished service of a highly meritorious nature to the nation.