H.E. The President Ranil Wickramasinghe in an Epoch-Making Visit to the Jaffna Peninsula

The President, His Excellency Ranil, Wickramasinghe, Commander - in - chief of the Armed Forces attended a series of meetings in Jaffna on Sunday (15th January 2023).

The itinerary commenced with his arrival at the Palaly Airport and warmly welcomed by the Secretary Ministry of Defence, General (Retd) GDH Kamal Gunarathne WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc MPhil, Chief of Defence Staff, General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil, Commander Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant General HLVM Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, Commander Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral UN Priyantha Perera RSP USP ndu psc, Commander Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana WWV and Bar RWP and Bar RSP and three Bars VSV USP, Commander Security Forces (Jaffna), Major General DBSN Bothota RWP RSP USP psc, Governor, Hon. Jeewan Thiagarajah and Northern Provincial representatives, representatives of Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation and, Ministry of Tourism and Lands.

Hon. Ministers, State Ministers, Members of the Parliament (MPs) and representatives of Presidential Secretariat were also accompanied H.E. the President during his visit.

President Ranil Wickramasinghe paid a courtesy visit to Ven Meegahajandure Siriwimala Thero, incumbent of Jaffna Sri Naga Viharaya in order to find out the well - being of the monk, the temple activities and the progress it has made. Then his day’s itinerary had a courtesy audience with His Lordship Rev. Justin Bernard Gnanapragasam, Bishop of Jaffna at the Bishop House, Jaffna. His Lordship spoke high of the President’s contribution and dedication towards the country and paid his obeisance to him. Later H.E. the President visited the ancient Royal Temple Nallur, Jaffna and was welcomed by the Hindu Religious Leader, Sri La Sri Somasundra Desiga Gnanasambantha Paramacharya Swamigal. The President also participated in religious observances and received blessings.

During his visit, the President attended Thai Pongal celebration held at Sri Thurka Manimandapam Nallur re-kindling hopes for a better future and spirits of reconciliation and harmony. The President was received according to Hindu traditions upon arriving there, amidst rites and rituals. On the same day, President Ranil Wickranasinghe had a conference highlights land issues with Government and Military Officials at the Auditorium, District Secretariat, Jaffna. Later, in the evening President met Hon. Vijayakala Maheshwaran.

Upon concluding the meetings of the day’s itinerary, H.E the President attended to a VVIP Dinner at Palaly Army Cantonment, Vasavilan, Jaffna organized as per the guidance of the Commander Security Forces (Jaffna), Major General DBSN Bothota RWP RSP USP psc.