Heroes welcome for President

The people and the Maha Sangha of the North Western Province arrived in their thousands to the Panduwasnuwara Rajamaha Viharaya yesterday to felicitate President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and other leaders in the defence heirachy who showed their unwavering commitment during the humanitarian mission to liberate the country from terrorism.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Former Chief of Defence Staff Air Vice Marshal Donald Perera, Present Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka, Former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunatilleke, IGP Jayantha Wickremaratne and Civil Defence Force Chief Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera were present.

The ceremony began after religious observances. Pandukabhaya Pirivenadhipathi and Chief Incumbent of the Pandukabhaya Rajamaha Viharaya, Panduwasnuwara, Ven. Uhangoda Sri Rathanasara Thera administered pansil.

Vice Chancellor of the Buddhashravaka University, Anuradhapura Ven Dr. Thummulle Sri Silakkandambhidhana Thera delivered the anushasanawa.

North Western Province Chief Adhikarana Sanganayake Thera Ven Rekawa Jinarathana Thera presented a special Sannaspatraya to the President in recognition of his service to the Motherland.

Bishop of Kurunegala Most Rev. Harold Anthony on behalf of the Catholic community in the province presented a special sannaspatra to President Rajapaksa in appreciation of his service to the Motherland.

Hindu and Islamic religious leaders felicitated President Rajapaksa by presenting a special Sannaspatraya.

Small Industries Minister S.B. Nawinna presented a special memento to the President on behalf of the people of the province.

North Western Province Governor Nimal R. Balalla presented a special memento to Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa while Mass Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa presented a memento to Former Chief of Defence Staff Air Vice Marshal Donald Perera.

Present Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka received a memento from Estate Infrastructure Development Minister Milroy Fernando.

Nation Building Minister Salinda Dissanayake presented a memento to Former Naval Chief Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda while Highways Minister T.B. Ekanayake presented a memento to Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunatilleke.

IGP Jayantha Wickremeratne and Civil Defence Force Chief Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera also received mementos from the Ministers.