Programmes held to mark President's one year in office

COLOMBO: On the instructions of Douglas Devananda, Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare, statutory bodies and departments under his Ministry initiated programmes in November to mark President Rajapaksa's first year in office under 'Deyata Kirula' (Crowning the Nation) programme.

The National Secretariat for the Elders recently offered breakfast to about 190 inmates of 'Sucharithodaya' Elders' Home and Childrens' Home at Pamunuwa Road, Maharagama and invoked blessings on the President, the country, the three Armed Forces, the Police and the public.

After offering breakfast, the 'Maha Sangha' chanted Seth Pirith,refreshments and gifts were provied to the children.

The Department of Social Services conducted meditationprogrammes for children of the mentally retarded and Vocational Training Centre followed by the chanting of 'Seth Pirith' and a 'Bodhi Pooja' for invoke blessings on the President and people.

The National Institute of Social Development marked this day by distributing dry rations among the poor.

The Sri Lanka Insurance Board held a mobile service in the Ginigathena Divisional Secretariat division on 18 and presented pension policies at its head office.

Donations of sewing machines to self employee aid centres was launched at the Ministry premises. Donations of sewing machines to the other training centres was held at the respective offices of the Divisional Secretariat Divisions.

At the mobile service held at Sri Sumangala Maha Vidyalaya in Akmeemana, Kurunduwatha and in Bhagawanthalawa 3,000 pairs of spectacles, 20 walking sticks and 20 crutches were donated.

The Ministry of Social Services and Social Welfare has made arrangements to distribute a booklet 'Fullstop to Drugs' among the Sunday Daham schoolchildren under 'Mahinda Chinthana' policy programme.

Arrangements have also been made to distribute this booklet in Tamil and Muslim Daham schools. The booklet will consist creations of the winners at the all-island drawing and essay competition held for schoolchildren.