World's largest greeting card presented to President

Atapattu BANDARA

World's largest New Year greeting card, created by prison inmates, was handed over to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday. This greeting card created by a team of 15 inmates of the Welikda Prison, is considered to be the largest greeting card prepared by prison inmates in the world.

The greeting card has portraits of historical evolution of Sri Lankan history beginning with the Rawana legend. It includes cultural components, ethnic harmony and inter peaceful environment.

The card is 200 feet long and five feet wide. Prisoners took 14 days to create this. They had obtained the support of Tamara Damayanthi, arts consultant of Ananda College, Maradana. Arrangements have been taken to include the card into the Guinness Book of Records.

President Rajapaksa lauded the prison inmates' effort and had a cordial discussion with them.

Prisons Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena, Prison Commissioner Major General P. W. Kodippili and Prison Reform Ministry secretary A. Dissanayaka were also present.