Plaque to appreciate President’s work : The progress report of Social Virtues and Children’s Rights Promotive Programme was handed over to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at President’s House Kandy yesterday. Founder of Social Virtues and Children’s Rights Promotive Programme SGM Karunarathna and Pujapitiya Provincial Secretary Daya Menike Sarathchandra presented the progress report together with a CD and book to the President. Later children of the Social Virtues and Children’s Rights Promotive Programme presented a plaque to President Mahinda Rajapaksa in appreciation of the President’s dedication to create a righteous society in a prosperous country. Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake and Chief of President’s Staff Gamini Senarath were also present. Picture by Chandana Perera

With this contented smile which speaks volumes for her business success, this vendor sells garlands and other offerings to devotees flocking to Kataragama for the Kataragama Maha Perahera. Today is the fifth day of the Kataragama Maha Perahera. After the placing of the Relics Casket on the ceremonial tusker, the perahera starts from the Maha Devalaya with a colourful pageant of up country, low country and Sabaragamuwa dances. After rituals and other poojas at the Valli Amma Devalaya, the perahera starts again through the inner street passing Sri Abhinavaramaya and concludes at the Maha Devalaya. Picture by Sulochana Gamage. Text by Nelson Piyaratne

Defence expenditure down to 3 pc of GDP

The government yesterday said its defence expenditure has dropped to three percent of the Gross Domestic Product. According to Finance and Planning Ministry Secretary Dr P B Jayasundara, the government has managed to reduce the defence expenditure systematically. He was delivering the keynote speech at the Sri Lanka Economic Summit 2011, held at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel yesterday.

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Three member committee to probe petrol import

Payment for 20,000 tons of petrol suspended:

Petroleum Resources Minister Susil Premajayantha suspended payment for the 20,000 tons of petrol, reportedly of low quality. The minister has appointed a three member committee to investigate whether any fraud had taken place in the process of importing petrol. The committee which comprises the ministerial Secretary attached to another ministry, former oil refinery section deputy manager and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Marketing Manager, will submit a comprehensive report over the petrol issue.

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MoD lifts foreigners’ pre-travel approval to North

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) lifted the imposed pre-travel approval to the North, exclusively for foreign passport holders with effect from yesterday. According to military liaison officials, foreign passport holders are no longer required to produce a MoD travel approval document at Omanthai entry/exist point- the main travel checking point located in Vavuniya.

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