The ‘Satharawa Deepani’ felicitation ceremony, organised on a concept of Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana, was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardhana at the BMICH on Saturday (16) evening.

Veteran Cinema Artistes Malani Fonseka, Swarna Mallwaarachchi, Anoja Weerasinghe and Ravindra Randeniya who made a major contribution to the films produced by Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana, were felicitated with ‘Satharawa Deepani’ awards by the Prime Minister, on this occasion.

A group of 250 G.C.E. (A/L) students selected from all districts, were also granted ‘Pragnabandu Scholarships’ valid for two years, on this occasion, under the patronage of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Pranith Abeysundara.

Ven. Maha Sangha including the Anunayake of the Malwatta Chapter, Sahithya Chakrawarthi Most Ven. Dr. Niyangoda Dharmakeerthi Sri Sangharakkhitha Vijithasiri Thera, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, heads of Diplomatic Missions representing India, Russia and Japan, Cabinet Ministers, Government and Opposition MPs, government officials, artistes, members of the business community were present on this occasion.