Series Of Events Held To Mark President Sirisena's First Year In Office

A series of programs will be held today and tomorrow to mark the completion of the first year of Maithripala Sirisena's Presidency.

The main national ceremony on this regard will be held at 2.00pm at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena, the President’s Media Division said.

The keynote address of this ceremony will be made by former Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and South Aftica Gopalkrishna Gandhi, a grandson of Mahathma Gandhi.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, ministers, diplomats, intellectuals and artists will participate in this ceremony.

A ceremony to mark the 117th birth anniversary of late Prime Minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike will be held tomorrow at 9.00am at the Bandaranaike statue in Galle Face, under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena.

He is also scheduled to visit the Kotte Sri Naga Viharaya to pay a floral tribute to the late Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera.

Furthermore, Sirisena will launch the “Tell the President” and “Janapathi  Hadabima” programs at 11.00 a.m. at the President’s House in Colombo, the PMD said. Citizens can submit their complaints and grievances through the “Tell the President” program. President Sirisena will declare open the Development Evaluation Office at the Presidential Secretariat today.

An all-night Pirith chanting will be held at the Presidential Secretariat tonight to mark the President’s completion of one year term in office.

On January 09 the President will address the Parliament at 10.30 a.m. and on the same day from 6.30 p.m to 8.00 p.m a Culture Show will be held at the Independence Square premises.

Meanwhile, a photographic exhibition titled “ Janapathi Abhimangalawasara Seya Samaruma” will be held at the Arcade Independence Square, Colombo, from 9.00am to 9.00pm on January 9, to mark the President’s completion of one year term in office,