A large number of rehabilitated LTTE ex-combatants were provided soft loans to start employment projects at a ceremony at Temple Trees yesterday. Here, President Mahinda Rajapaksa presenting a loan to a rehabilitated trainee. Minister Chandrasiri Gajadheera was also present. Picture by Sudath Silva

M B Dinusha Bandara, a six-year-old student of Mawanella Kotagala School for Special needs students won a primary level art competition in Sabaragamuwa despite her paralyzed hands and legs by handling the pencil and brush with her mouth. Here, she receives her trophy and certificate from Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena at the Special Education Centenary celebrations at the Lumbini Theatre, Colombo yesterday. Picture by Saman Sri Wedage

Parliament, the path to a solution - President

‘Collective solution should be arrived at through a process of consultation’:

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that the solution to the issues faced by our communities resides in Parliament, where all relevant parties must parley together and arrive at a consensual remedy, since the problem is of a national nature. “This is not my personal problem, it is a problem faced by the country. Therefore a collective solution should be arrived at through a process of consultation, involving all relevant parties. In fact, these parties are duty-bound to help out in this effort,” the President explained during his monthly breakfast meeting with newspaper Editors and senior personnel of media organisations.

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‘No room for petty politics’

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday emphasized that he will not allow petty minded politicians to benefit by harping on the ethnic issue. “Petty politics shattered the harmony and peace which existed 30 years ago, among all communities be it from North or South. Now with terrorism being a thing of the past, those bonds, once wounded are getting stronger again”’

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Police posts at District Secretariats to monitor polls incidents

The Police will implement a special security programme at District Secretariat level to detect election law violations, Police Media Spokesman SP Ajith Rohana said. He said Police will set up special police checkpoints near District Secretariats to monitor election related incidents until election day.

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National programme to develop 5,000 primary schools

The government will inaugurate the first phase of a national programme to develop 5,000 primary schools islandwide on August 3. Development of 1,683 primary schools island wide is to be completed under the first phase of the program within a month, said Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

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