The first copy of the "Handbook of Simple Tamil" by Prof. J B Dissanayake being presented by the author to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Wednesday 8th September at Temple Trees.

Deshamanya Jayantha Banda Dissanayake (73) is an emeritus Professor and one of the leading authorities of the Sinhala language in Sri Lanka. Former Professor and the Head of the Department of Sinhala at the University of Colombo, with a long teaching career of over 40 years as a lecturer, he is the author of numerous books on linguistics, culture and history. He is currently Sri Lanka Ambassador to Thailand.

Prof J.B’s new book is intended to promote the Tamil language proficiency among the Sinhalese public. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President, Mrs Kusum Dissanayake and Samitha Dissanayake were also present at the occasion.

Pix by: Nalin Hewapathirana