Dudely Senanayake Birth Centenary

The Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts has issued a new postage stamp in the denomination of Rs. 5.00 on October 14, 2011 to commemorate the 100^th birth anniversary of Hon. Dudley Senanayake

The Honourable Dudley Senanavake, Prime Minister of the country on four occasions, was born on the 19^th of June 1911. The commemorative stamp which is being brought out marks the 100^th anniversary of his birth and is a tribute to his commitment to public duty and good governance which were characteristic of his life.

He was the elder son of the Rt. Hon. D. S. Senanayake, the first Prime Minister of independent Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Dudley Senanayake was educated at St. Thomas college, a leading public school in the island and later at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge where he read for the Tripos in natural sciences. He was admitted to the Middle Temple in London and passed out as a barrister before returning to the country to assume a leading role in political life in 1935.

Before Independence he served as a member of the state council and Minister of Agriculture for several years. After the country's emergence as a free country in 1948, he became Prime Minister on the demise of the first Premier in 1952 and went on to be elected Prime Minister at the general elections of 1952, again in the 1960 elections for a short period and finally for the full term of five years after the general elections of 1965 till 1970. He is remembered chiefly for his commitment to the ideals of liberal democracy, his faith in the rule of law and parliamentary government and the leadership he gave to agriculture which resulted in the achievement of self sufficiency in the country's staple food crops.

When Dudley Senanayake died at the comparatively early age of 61 on the 13^th of April 1973 he held no public office. Yet, the peoples outpouring of respect and grief at his passing was great and remains unsurpassed.

1st South Asian Beach Games

The Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts issued a new postage stamp in the denomination of Rs. 5 .00 on 11^th October, 2011 to commemorate 1^st Asian Beach Games.

In their constant search for opportunities to provide athletes with varied competitions, sports administrators have come up with ideas of staging games in a different milieu. Thus sports such as Basketball, Football, Handball and Volleyball, etc… will be played on the beaches on specially prepared areas.

Taking a cue from these sport administrators those in charge of global activities responded with arranging festivals for these types of Games. Thus besides the Asian Games the Olympic Council of Asia organizes, the Asian Winter Games, the Asian Beach Games, Asian Youth Games and Asian Indoor Martial Art Games. Taking this a step further the South Asian Olympic Council has come up with the 1^st South Asian Beach Games.

Sri Lanka has been given the responsibility of staging the 1^st South Asian Beach Games which are scheduled to be held from 8^th to 14^th October 2011 at Hambantota. The choice of Hambantota for the venue is significant because, if their Bid succeeds Sri Lanka will be organising the Commonwealth Games at Hambantota in 2018.

The Organising Committee in charge of the 1^st South Asian Beach Games at Hambantota has arranged a comprehensive programme for these Games. During the short period of 7 days these games will be held, there will be competitions in ll disciplines as follows,

1. Beach Basketball

2. Beach Football

3. Beach Handball

4. Beach Kabaddi

5. Beach Netball

6. Beach Volleyball

7. Body Building

8. Equestrian

9. Life Saving

10. Swimming

11. Windsurfing

Seven Countries in the South Asian region have committed themselves to field athletes for competitions in most of the above disciplines. There will be over 500 athletes and officials coming to Sri Lanka for this event. i

The Organising Committee faced a stupendous task in arranging for accommodation, transport and other facilities for the visitors from abroad. In spite of these difficulties the Organising Committee has endevoured to organize the Games in a manner that would be fitting such a global event.

World Tourism Day 2011 (Individual Stamps)

Rs 5.00 (1) - Sri Lankan children with the lion flag in the background.

Rs 5.00 (2) - Ruwanweliseya Sthupa - Anuradhapura

Rs 5.00 (3) - Kandy Esala Perahera

Rs 5.00 (4) - Entrance (Lion Feet) of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

Rs 15.00 - Reflex Yourself

Rs 15.00 - Dunhinda Waterfall

Rs 30.00 - Sri Lankan Elephants

Rs 35.00 - Sri Lankan Leopard

Rs 40.00 - Pristine Beaches

Rs 45.00 - White water rafting

World Tourism Day 2011

The Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts issued ten new postage stamps in the denominations of Rs. 5.00 x 4, 15.00 x 2, 30.00, 35.00, 40.00 and 45.00 on September 27, 2011 to commemorate the World Tourism Day 2011.

Heritage

Castles in the sky are more than just a figment of your imagination. For there's something very real about this splendid island and its many wonders. In a serene moment of mediation you are elevated to a higher stage of mind. Then the sheer majesty of Sigiriya rock Fortress with its breathtaking landscaped gardens make you feel on top of the world. Ascend the mountain of Butterflies, a sacred ground to pilgrims of four world religions. Visit caves that were home to prehistoric man and move amongst the vestiges of ancient cities. 2500 years of civilization, eight world heritage sights and dozens of little wonders await you. Come discover.

Pristine

Surrounded by the aquamarine waters of the Indian Ocean, miles of golden sand contour the little island in the sun. Here’s a vision of supernatural beauty. By day it’s a sacred ground for sun worshipers. By night, the moonlit shores and the soft full of the waves echo romance and tranquility. Sip then refreshing water of a king coconut and simply watch the day go by. Visit the unforgettable beaches of Sri Lanka, and you’d always have its sand in your shoes.

Wild

There’s an exotic isle in Asia, where the traveller is guided by sheer instinct. Wake up to the call of indigenous birds. Drink deep from a babbling brook. Tack in the moist air of a rainforest. Spend an afternoon in the presence of snoozing leopards and bathing elephants. Watch an amorous peacock flaunt its plumage against the flaming sunset. Turn your gaze towards the ocean to witness pods of frolicking dolphins at play. Dive deep to discover multi-hued underwater gardens and silent shipwrecks. And as night falls, end one adventure. Start another.

Bliss

There’s a greeting that every visitor to Sri Lanka becomes acquainted with. "Ayubowan” is “hello" and "welcome". But most importantly, it is the wish of long life upon the greeted. It is this wish that we carry into the ancient practice of Ayurweda. Amidst the scent of warm aromatic oils. A heavenly massage kneads away, your sins. In a bath strewn with tropical flowers your mind. body and soul are bathed in virtue. Visit this wondrous isle of bliss. And it will breath life in to you.

Essence

Welcome to a tropical island that generates warmth all year around. Soak in the sun on a palm fringed beach. Sink your feel in to the warm sand for that tingling feeling of happiness. And for warmth that goes more than skin deep, let the exotic flowers of our cuisine invigorate your taste buds. Touch, Smell, Taste, Rediscover the spice of life. And as you journey through this wondrous isle, the smiles of the people would warm your heart. And you’d find yourself immersed in the warmth of a culture that stays with you for life. Come, make yourself at home.

Festive

On a night illuminated by the full moon, the distant sound of cracking of whips and the beating of drums creates the overture for an evening of magic. Soon, a fairy tale parade of dancers, musicians and elephants adorned with rich drapes and gold and silver trimmings, come into vision. Whether it’s celebration or veneration, the diversity of culture and religion in Sri Lanka keeps the spirit of festivity alive, all year round.

Thrills

What does it for you? The attitude of a ride on the crest of a surf? The rush of a rapid on a roamy river? An incredible balloon ride over a silent valley? A safari through the jungle? A friendly game of beach cricket with the locals? Some golf in the hills? Shopping. People watching. Or perhaps a ride in a tuk tuk through the bustling city. Choose your pace and Sri Lanka will delight you at every tum.

Scenic

A meandering ascent through the hills along the rise and fall of the blue green landscape emulates a journey to heaven. The cool mountain air rejuvenates your spirit. Suddenly you catch sight of a white veil of cascading waters. Tea gardens dotted with brightly affired figures. Their quick fingers picking out the freshet leaves. And at the end of the journey, you are greeted with an invigorating cup of Ceylon tea. At 4,000 feet above sea level, altitude is only one reason to believe you’re in heaven.

First Day Covers

There are three first day covers issued for this issue.

Cover 1

Cover 2

Cover 3

Non Aligned Movement - 50th Anniversary

The Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts will issue a new postage stamp in the denomination of Rs. 5.00 on 21st July 20ll to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Non-Aligned Movement.

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is an intergovernmental organization of states currently consisting 120 members and 18 observer countries. The term "non-alignment" itself was coined by Indian Prime Minister Shri Nehru, during his speech in 1954 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. In this speech, Nehru described five pillars (Panchasee) which subsequently served as the basis of the Non-Aligned Movement. These guiding principles are:

Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, Mutual non-aggression, Mutual non-interference in domestic affairs, Equality end mutual benefit, Peaceful co-existence.

The first official Non-Aligned Movement summit was held on 1st September 1961 in Belgrade, the capital city of former Yugoslavian Republic, six years after the Asian African Prime Ministers meeting held in Bandung Indonesia, which declared their desire not to be involved in the "Cold War" and adopt a "declaration on promotion of world peace and cooperation".

Sri Lanka (Ceylon) was represented at this historic Inaugural NAM summit by Hon. Prime Minister, the late Mrs. Sirimavo Bandarananaike, who made history as the world‘s first woman Prime Minister. Sri Lanka was thereby, among the 25 participants that attended the first NAM summit, and Sri Lanka's involvement in NAM culminated in hosting the 5th NAM summit in 1976, in Colombo - the first NAM summit to be held in the Asian region, and taking over the chairmanship of NAM for a three year period. Since the first summit, NAM members met at summit level 16 times and the last meeting was held in Sharm-ail-Sheik, Egypt, where H. E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa represented Sri Lanka.

NAM represents countries with diverse socio-political views and systems. Yet, the movement is bound by the desire for peaceful cooperation for mutual benefit. As most members of NAM are members of the United Nations, the movement provides leadership within the UN for its members on a number of issues, ranging from disarmament, decolonization, to human rights and economic development. The movement does not have a Permanent Secretariat and therefore the chair country, through its permanent mission accredited to UN in New York coordinates activities of NAM. The moderate polices and guiding principles of NAM have led its members over the last fifty years, and these core values remain relevant guiding principles in conducting international relations among nations