D.A. Rajapaksa commemorated

Jayasiri MUNASINGHE in Tangalle

TANGALLE: Commemorative ceremonies to mark the 41st death anniversary of D.A. Rajapaksa, man of an epoch and icon of the peasants of Giruwapattu, was held on a simple but proud note in Tangalle with the participation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa yesterday.

The ceremonies began with the President and the First Lady placing floral tributes at the D.A. Rajapaksa statue in Tangalle followed by Irrigation, Water Management, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa and other dignitaries early in the morning, amidst the blessings of the Maha Sangha led by the Viharadhipati of the Tangalle Vajiragiri Purana Viharaya.

Thereafter, President Rajapaksa opened a new bridge costing Rs. 145 million built at Tangalle town to replace the old Dutch bridge.

Ministers Chamal Rajapaksa, T.B. Ekanayake and Mahinda Amaraweera, Provincial Minister Hemal Gunasekera, Southern Provincial Council’s Leader of the House Somawansa Kodagoda and Provincial Council Member D.A. Upul were also present. The D.A. Rajapaksa commemorative meeting followed at the Tangalle Town hall organised by the Rajapaksa Memorial Education, Cultural and Social Service Foundation.

A highlight was the award of Sisura scholarships to a batch of over 100 bright students in the Hambantota district.

Thereafter, winners of an inter-school Sinhala and Tamil oratorical contest held among schools in the Hambantota and Matara Provincial Education Office areas received their prizes from the President, the First Lady, Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Ministers T.B. Ekanayake and Mahinda Amaraweera.

In addition the first prize winners in the oratorical contest in both categories and media received a bicycle each.

The 41st D.A. Rajapaksa commemoration lecture was delivered by Uva-Wellassa University Chancellor and Kataragama Kiri Vehera Viharadhipati Ven. Dr. Aluthwewe Soratha Thera, Chief Sanghanayake Thera of Ruhunu Magam Pattuwa.

An all-night Pirith pinkama followed as part of the commemorative ceremonies yesterday and it will conclude with a Sanghika Dana today.