President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in Beijing today (August 06) upon the invitation of the Government of the People's Republic of China. He will attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, scheduled to commence on August 8.
The President visited the Olympic Village and met the Sri Lankan team competing in the Games and wished the good luck at the forthcoming sports extravaganza.
Eight Sri Lankan athletes will compete in six sports in the 29th 2008 Summer Olympics which will continue until Augst 24.
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR) of the United Nations has called for the restoration of the civic rights of S.B. Dissanayaka as well as the payment of compensation.
The traditional Madhu feast scheduled to be staged this month has been canceled, Mannar Bishop Rayappu Joseph said in a press statement.