President receives rousing welcome in House

President Mahinda Rajapaksa participated in Parliamentary proceedings yesterday in his capacity as the Minister of Finance in the Debate on nine tax amendment bills.

The President arrived in the Chamber at around 4.15pm and addressed the House for about 30 minutes. He received a rousing welcome from the MPs on both sides.

At the beginning of his speech the President said that it was his intention to strengthen the cooperation and relationship between the executive and legislature and that was why he decided to address the House. During his speech, the President addressed several issues ranging from economy and political developments. He also extended his condolences and sympathy to the disaster hit Japanese people and said that Japan was a longstanding friend of Sri Lanka and our people would always stand by the people and the Government of Japan.