A poetry book containing 50 pieces of poems entitled “Akwessa” authored by Mr. Sampath Kithsiri Udawatta, an Embassy official was launched at a ceremony on 19th August 2010 at the Embassy auditorium in the midst of a gathering of invitees, Embassy staff and their families.

Mr. Udawatta who has done a great deal of research into poetry has developed varied skills as well as talents and is a budding poet and a culture enthusiast. In his works, Mr. Udawatta has drawn inspiration from great poets and artists. The collection of poems include those dedicated to Sri Lanka’s legendary artists, novelists, war heroes and his village folks.   The fine pieces of poetry narrated by Mr.  Udawatta in his book suit all readers, the young and the adults alike. 

 By: Sureshika Thilakarathna
    
History repeats itself, they say. At times such repetition happens in a different way. Then it adds a new page into history. Dreams they say at times fade away. But, some dreams they say come to stay. Dreams turned into reality have glamour and splendor. Oh....there was a dream of a politician decades ago. He dreamt of a port in Deep South Hambantota. The gentle-man who dreamt this port was a colorful man. He was none other than Don Alwin Rajapaksa, a former Deputy Speaker and Cabinet Minister. In his lifetime, he could not turn this dream into a reality. Yes ... he brought forth a son like him into politics. This son reached the highest position in this land.He is President Mahinda Rajapaksa. This like father-like Son, Mahinda Rajapaksa turned his father's dream into a reality on Sunday (15). He made the dream visible to the nation.

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the State of Kuwait Sarath Dissanayake,  who is concurrently accredited to the Kingdom of Bahrain presented his Letter of Credence to His Majesty Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain on 3rd August at Al – Sakhir Palace in Manama, Bahrain. 

The Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain has announced the re-launching of air services  to Colombo and 04 other destinations commencing   September / October 2010.  This was stated by the CEO of Gulf Air   Mr. Samer Majali  to a gathering of local and international media at a press conference  convened at the Gulf Hotel in Bahrain on 04th August. 

As soon as news was received last week of the serious floods in Pakistan , President Mahinda Rajapaksa  telephoned Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and assured Sri Lanka’s strong solidarity with the efforts of the Government and People of Pakistan to cope with the challenge of the serious natural disaster.