The Hindu : Front Page : Sri Lanka honours N Ram: "Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga on Monday conferred the "Sri Lanka Ratna" — the island-nation's highest honour for non-nationals — on N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu, for his "outstanding, professional contribution towards journalism."
The "Sri Lanka Ratna" is conferred for "exceptionally outstanding and most distinguished service to Sri Lanka in particular and\or humanity in general." Mr. Ram is the first Indian recipient of the honour, which is conferred on a restrictive basis.
The highest honour for Sri Lankans, the "Sri Lankabhimanya" was posthumously conferred on Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar for his "astute advancement of Sri Lanka's case in the international forum."
The "Sri Lankabhimanya" is conferred for "exceptionally outstanding and distinguished service to the nation."
Well-known science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke, a Sri Lankan citizen, was the other recipient of the honour. Sir Arthur, who runs a foundation in his name, received the honour from the President for his "visionary concepts."
The state investiture ceremony was held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall here.
The "Sri Lanka Ratna" comprises a citation and a gold medal studded with nine "navaratnas" (Sri Lankan gems) with a Manel symbol (the country's national flower).
The other foreign nationals who received the honour include Lord Naseby from the U.K. for "furthering the U.K.-Sri Lanka relations" and internationally renowned novelist and poet Michael Ondaatje.
His novels include The English Patient and Anil's Ghost.
Nearly 200 Sri Lankans were conferred with honours for their service to the nation. "
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
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