In appreciation for services rendered to women’s, children’s welfare:

Special award for First Lady

THAILAND: First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa was accorded a rousing welcome at the ‘Swarna Bhoomi’ Airport in Thailand by a distinguished gathering led by Sri Lanka Ambassador in Thailand when she arrived there on Tuesday to attend the International Women’s Day Celebrations billed for yesterday.

A press release issued by the Presidential Media Unit said the United Nations branch in Thailand was due to make a special award to the First Lady at yesterday’s Women’s Day celebrations in appreciation of the services rendered by her towards the welfare of women and Children in Sri Lanka.

The First Lady met Pachavin Pibulsonggarm, wife of the Thai Foreign Minister at the Thai Foreign Ministry and held extensive discussions with her on Tuesday evening.

The programme launched by the Thai Government to combat Thalassaemia and Cancer among children figured prominently at the discussions.

Mrs. Rajapaksa said her main objective is to ensure a healthy environment for children’s education in Sri Lanka and cater to their basic needs without racial, caste or religious discrimination by setting up a chain of pre-schools.

Asked whether she could perform such a big task amidst her already busy schedule as the country’s First Lady, she said proper time management would enable her to save time needed to devote to such work.

A significant event during the First Lady’s visit was her meeting with Thailand’s Crown Princess Bagrakitiyabba. She also attended a ceremony to mark the release of the ‘Tripitaka’ to Roman language and viewed a special exhibition held to mark the event on Tuesday.