Srilanka

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leaders who contested the 2004 general election as LTTE representatives has no right to represent Parliament now, Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) leader V. Anandasangaree said.He said the North and East issue could have been solved by 2004 but the TNA leaders did not let it happen.The TULF leader stated this when he visited the Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter, Most Ven.Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera yesterday.

The 69th annual Esala Perahera festival of the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya will begin on August 4 under the guidance of Ven Dr. Bellanwila Dhammarathana Nayake Thera, Incumbent at Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya. The festival, commenced in 1950 under the auspices of late Incumbent, Ven Bellanwila Sri Somarathana Nayake Thera of the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya, has been organized on a grand scale this year too.

To highlight the need for parents in Sri Lanka to receive increased support through family friendly policies, enabling them to play their full role in the healthy growth and development of their children, the United Nations ChildrenFund (UNICEF) has temporarily removed the image of the parent from its 70 year old ‘parent and child& logo

Two leaders paid their attention to strengthen bilateral relations through a proper mechanism President Maithripala Sirisena said it is his objective is to work closely with the other countries in the world in Sri Lankamarch towards economic prosperity.President Sirisena made these comments during a bilateral discussion with President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.

President Sirisena who was on a state visit to Tajikistan to attend the 5th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia met President Rahmon as his fist official engagement. The Sri Lankan President was accorded a grand welcome at the PresidentPalace in Dushanbe.

Following exchange of pleasantries the two leaders sat for bilateral talks. Since both the countries are committed to strengthen economic development and international trade , the two leaders paid their attention to lay a solid foundation to revitalize the bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Tajikistan .The necessity of forming a mechanism to identify business and investment opportunities were also emphasized.

Both leaders pleaded to work in unison to ensure regional security and the battle against drug trafficking. The State visor by President Rahmon was recalled with due respect and Tajikistan President expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality extended towards him during his visit to Sri Lanka. He further said the current visit by President Sirisena will further cement the friendly ties between two countries.tomorrow (15) and many leaders of the Asian region have come down to Dushanbe to attend the Summit. President will address the Summit tomorrow and schedule to meet several leaders on the sideline of the main event.