President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday participated in religious programmes at the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya and Vidyalankara Pirivena in Peliyagoda on the occasion of his 66th birthday and the first anniversary of his second term in office. Here Parivenadhipathi of Vidyalankara Pirivena and Chief Sanganayake Thera of Colombo and Chilaw Ven Prof Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thera invoking blessings on President Rajapaksa by placing the casket of Sacred Relics on his head. Picture by Sudath Silva

White Flag Case:

Fonseka guilty, gets three years

The Trial-at-Bar in a divided judgement found former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka guilty of making a false statement to Sunday Leader senior journalist Frederica Jansz that Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa had told Brigadier Shavendra Silva to eliminate LTTE cadres who came with white flags to surrender during the final stage of the war.

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President marks birthday, first anniversary of second term:

Priority for religious programmes

President Mahinda Rajapaksa marked his birthday and first anniversary of the second term of office by participating in several religious and social service programmes yesterday. The President visited the Peliyagoda Vidyalankara Pirivena in the morning and paid homage to the Sacred Relics and obtained blessings.

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President met over 2,700 reps before preparing budget

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Finance Minister met a large cross section of the public representing all sectors, communities and women’s bodies when the budget proposals for the financial year 2012 were drafted. They are to be presented in Parliament on Monday, said Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

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