By Walter Jayawardhana

President Rajapaksa said in Sri Lanka’s ancient capital, Anuradhapura, that the joy of unification of this country was reflected exactly a month ago when all citizens despite political , racial or religious differences held the lion flag in their hands proudly to celebrate the jubilation of defeating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Rajapaksa said, “The generation to generation historical desire of the nation to be under one government of unification was aptly shown despite differences when all held the national flag in their hands.”

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The President said it was on May 18 at 1.36 p.m. when he was conveyed with the auspicious message of the Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka that the country had been once again unified and the whole nation jumped for joy at the news. He said he believed it was the incumbents of Atamasthana (the eight most holy places of the ancient city) together with the people of the North Central Province who rejoiced the news most.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The President was addressing a distinguished gathering of citizens at a ceremony at the historic Jayasri Mahabodhi Dhamma Hall in Anuradhapura following he and the all service chiefs paid their obeisance to the historic Jayasri Maha Bodhi Tree and received honorary titles from the Maha Sangha and other religious dignitaries.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ He said Mahinda Chinthanaya, the mandate given by the people at the last Presidential election gave priority to agricultural development and it was the North Central fraternity that benefited most from such development. He said it was the valiant soldier which was ready to give life or limb eyes or ears who liberated the land for the people. The precious land of mother Lanka won under such great sacrifices should be protected at all costs, with dedication, the President reminded the nation.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ President Rajapaksa said the precious things the country had been deprived of during the past three decades due to LTTE terrorism should be restored back to the country now.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ A state owned television station said “the Rajarata fraternity” organized the ceremony to honour the President for liberating the country from terrorism . The gathering observed one minute silence to honour the fallen soldiers. The Venerable Nugatenne Pagnananda Thera presented the President with a scroll with the honourary name “Sri Weera Wickrama Lanka Dheeshwara”- a title conferred by Anuradhapura Maha Vihara Sangha Council. North Central Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayaka also presented the President with a memento- a replica of an ancient sword

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa, Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera, Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka and Navy Commander Admiral Vasantha Karannagoda were also honoured. Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera accepted the memento on behalf of Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunatilake. The Rajarata masses also feted IGP Jayantha Wickramaratne and Director General of the Civil Defence Force Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekra