Mar 24, Colombo: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa was the chief guest of the inauguration ceremony to launch the project to rebuild the Yal Dewi northern rail track to Jaffna and a fund for the development of the liberated North 'Uturu Mithuru' (Northern Friends) Project at the President's office last evening.

President addressing the gathering said "Yal Devi train will again cross over Sri Lanka from South to North, at its full stretch as it was before terrorists destroyed the legendary railway track, and it will show not only the resolve of the heroic forces, but also the whole nation."
Launching the project President handed over his April salary to Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma as donation to the 'Uturu Mithuru project.
Legendary cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan inducted the 'Uthuru Wasanthaya', the official website of the project.
President's Secretary Lalith Weeratunga handed over the contributions made by the President's office staff donating one-day salary to the project.
President received blessings from a Hindu priest.
Renowned movie stars Malani Fonseka, Ravindra Randeniya, singer Deepika Priyadarsanee and Jayantha Darmadasa, MD of Nawaloka Group handed in their donations to the President. Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka, Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, three Armed Forces Commanders, IGP, diplomats, artists, and journalists were also present at the occasion.
Picture by Sudath Silva