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President Sirisena marks one year in office
View(s):President Maithripala Sirisena celebrated one year in office on Friday with religious ceremonies as well as at a national ceremony held at the BMICH in Colombo.
President Sirisena greets Gopalkrishna Gandhi. Pic by Indika Handuwala
The keynote address at this ceremony was delivered by Gopalkrishna Gandhi, the grandson of the pioneer of India’s independence struggle – Mahatma Gandhi.
The highlight of the celebrations was the pardon granted by the President to Sivaraja Jenivan alias Senan who was convicted for an assassination attempt on then Minister Sirisena in 2006 (See Page 4 for story).
The President paid his respects to the late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera by visiting the Naga Vihara in Kotte and placing flowers beside a portrait of the late Thera who played a major role in ensuring President Sirisena’s victory in the January 2015 Presidential poll.
He also visited the Kalutara Bodhi where he participated in religious ceremonies. The Kalu-tara Bodhi sacred area was vested with the Bodhi Trust by President Sirisena during his visit.
There were also religious ceremonies across the country by people of all faiths to mark the first anniversary in office of the President.
Participating in religious ceremonies at the Kalutara Bodhi and (below) planting a tree in Kalutara. Pix by Sarath Siriwardhene and Rathnasiri Premalal
