People at Mihintale sathi pola surprised to see President Mahinda Rajapaksa who visited the weekly fair and chatted with the traders and the people in the early hours on 30th December. The President personally inspected the facilities provided at the ‘pola’ and exchanged opinions and views with traders and customers. However during the inspection President was seen chatting very freely with the traders, workers and buyers at the weekly fair and inquired about the prices and other problems they face. He checked local vegetables and fruits and walked into few stalls and monitored the facilities they receive in the weekly fair.

A large crowd gathered around the President and took rounds to express their gratitude for ending the thirty years of brutal terrorism. Chief Minister of North Central Province Berty Premalal Dissanayake, Governor Karunaratne Divulgane and many local politicians were accompanied with the President. Col

During his visit to Anuradhapura, President Rajapaksa once again paid homage to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya and performed traditional religious rites. He was received the blessings of the Maha Sangha headed by the Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthana Venerable Pallegama Siri Nivasa Nayaka Thero. It has been an age old tradition of leaders who ruled the country to pay homage to the Sri Maha Bodhi.

Pix by: Sudath Silva