Feature: Sri Lankan president marks first year since assuming office

The Sri Lankan government on Friday celebrated the anniversary of President Maithripala Sirisena's first year in office, after winning the presidential election last year.

Several religious ceremonies were observed at temples around the island, with the president himself visiting the historical Kalutara Temple in the south to receive blessings from Buddhist monks.

Later, in a historical event held to mark his first year anniversary in the capital, a former Tamil Tiger rebel, who was convicted for an assassination attempt on Sirisena in 2006, was pardoned by the leader who also accepted his apology.

Sirisena shook hands with the former rebel and offered him his blessings.

Sirisena defeated former president Mahinda Rajapakse in a landmark election held on Jan. 8, 2015, ending Rajapakse's 10 year reign in power, and created a historic political environment by forming a national government.

Sirisena merged the two main political parties, the United National Party (UNP), headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), headed by Sirisena.

"He did something no other leader could do. He formed a national government and set a new political culture in the country," UNP parliamentarian and Deputy Minister of Power Ajith Perera said.

Sirisena was successful in thwarting an international war crimes probe in the island nation after he pledged to set up a domestic mechanism which would probe such abuses.

The domestic mechanism process is to be set up next week, which will probe rights violations allegedly committed in the final stages of a 30 year civil

war between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels.

Meanwhile, Sirisena has come under criticism from opposition groups who say his involvement as a leader in the past year has not been sufficient.

"He is standing aloof. The president's involvement has not been sufficient when making critical decisions for the country. He should be more involved," opposition parliamentarian Vasudeva Nanayakkara said.

Critics also blame Sirisena for suspending crucial development projects last year which had a negative impact on foreign investments and the economy.

"The abrupt suspension of the projects, caused unemployment and a loss of growth. However, we welcome his move to restart the projects," Nanayakkara said.

The public on Friday welcomed Sirisena's first year

anniversary stating that he had performed well.

"I am very happy with the president and what he has done for the country. In the coming four years, we are confident he will perform better," said L. Kumar, a businessman in the capital.

A street vendor A. Kapila said he too was "happy" with his vote for Sirisena last year and said he was confident that Sirisena could take the nation forward. Enditem