www.srilankastamps.lk: July 2012

XXX Olympics Games London 2012

Stamp Bulletin No. 801 Commemorative Issue

July 23^rd, 2012

First Day Cover

Miniature Sheet

MNH

Presentation Pack

Date of Issue : 23rd July, 2012
Denomination : Rs. 5.00, Rs. 15.00, Rs. 25.00, Rs. 75.00
Stamp Designer : Pulasthi Ediriweera
Stamp Size : 30mm * 41mm
Format : Vertical
Printing Process : Offset Lithography
Sheet Composition : 100 stamps per sheet
Perforation : 14 * 13 3/4
Printers : Department of Government Printing, Sri Lanka
Colors : 4 Process Colors
Paper : 102 gsm security printing paper
Gum :PVA
Quantity Printed : Rs. 5.00 * 500,000, Rs. 15.00 * 500,000, Rs. 25.00 * 500,000, Rs. 75.00 * 500,000

Sri Lanka Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts issued four new postage stamps in the denominations of Rs. 5.00, Rs. 15.00, Rs. 25.00, Rs. 75.00 on 23th July, 2012 to commemorate the XXX Olympic Games, London 2012.

The 30th celebration of the Olympic Games is scheduled to be held in London from 27th July to 12th August 2012. Following tradition Sri Lanka will participate in these Games with a contingent of 12 persons (2 Track and Field Athletes, 2 Badminton Players, 2 Swimmers, 1 Shooter and 5 Officials).

The Modern Olympic Games held every four years, are the world’s greatest festival of sporting competition. First held in 1896 they were inspired by ancient Greek Olympics which lasted for thousand years. Thousands of Athletes representing most countries in the world assemble in a selected city to compete in more than 20 different sports. Baron Pierre de Coubertin, a French nobleman in credited with the revival of these Games. In 1894 he founded the international Olympic Committee which has now become the governing body of the “Olympic Movement” a broad based social movement which through the activity of sports would enhance human development and make the world a better place.

Sri Lanka became a member of this movement in 1937 and the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka will be celebrating its Diamond Jubilee later this year.

Sri Lanka’s participation in the Olympic Games commenced with the 1948 Olympic Games held in London. It was a dream debut at the Olympic Games for Sri Lanka as Duncan white won a Silver medal in the 400m. Hurdles event. Our perseverance in participation in all the games since 1948, excepting in the 1976 games in Montreal paid dividends when Susanthika Jayasinghe won a Silver medal in the 200m event for women.

The Olympic Games are held in London for the 3rd time in 2012. Earlier they were held in 1908 & 1948. The games this year promises to be the best ever games held so far. Much planning and effort has gone in to the building of new facilities for sports and accommodation for the athletes. There will be competitions in 26 sports and more than 10,000 athletes form 204 countries will be participating.

Department of Agriculture

Stamp Bulletin No. 800 Commemorative Issue

First Day Cover

Block of 4

* Date of Issue : 22^ndJuly, 2012
* Denomination : Rs. 5.00
* Stamp Designer : Ruwan Upasena
* Stamp Size : 60mm * 30mm
* Format : Horizontal
* Printing Process : Offset Lithography
* Sheet Composition : 50 stamps per sheet
* Perforation : 12 * 13 1/4
* Printers : Department of Government Printing, Sri Lanka
* Color : 4 Process Colors
* Paper : 102 gsm security stamp paper
* Gum : PVA
* Quantity Printed : 500,000
* Last Date of Sale : 21^stJuly, 2013

In ancient Sri Lanka; we had highly technical and well developed irrigation system that could irrigate each and every inch of cultivable land in the island. During that period Sri Lanka was identified as the granary of East. Even though it was so, at that time, the foreign invades from time to time being adversely affected and obstructed, had given rise for the degradation of self-sufficient agricultural life-style. During the period of Portuguese and Dutch, i.e.1505-1658 era, the cumulative development in Agriculture was in negligible situation. According to the history, during the period of 1796-1948 in British Colonization era, considerable attention was drawn to uplift the agricultural lifestyle, it was for the plantation sector rather that subsistence agriculture. At the beginning, Royal Botanical Garden had co-ordinate all these agricultural activities, while these responsibilities were later assigned to the Government Agents.

According to the recommendations made by the commission appointed by the Government at that time, Sir. Mc Milan in 1889, Department of Agriculture was established in 1912 with the objective of research and development of the agriculture and to provide necessary information and consultations. When reminding hundred years path, since its’ inception, the contribution made by the Department for the successive, development in agriculture, subjecting to various changes, was immeasurable. Commencement of Agricultural School registering 72 students on 15.01.1916 was huge step taken by the Department for the agricultural development. Hon. D S Senanayake had also been one of the students of this school.

Subsequent to establishment of main administrative building at Peradeniya in 1926, various other sub divisions were set up in support of these activities. Extension and Training Centre, Seed and Planting material Centre, rice Research, Seed and Plant Protection, Horticultural Research and Development, Progress Monitoring unit, Agro engineering, Socio Economic, Information Technology, Legume and oil crops centre, Fruit Crops Development, Administrative and Finance Division are some of the institution that support the Department in performing Agricultural activities. With the dawn of second century, Department of Agriculture has turned its’ path with dignity towards achieving Excellency in agriculture, sustainable economic resurgence and domestic food security in view of the prosperity of the nation. The Commemorative stamp issued to mark centenary of the Department of Agriculture depicted the gateway of the Bata-Atha Agro-Techno Park constructed structuring had in had posture symbolizing national co-operative approach and the altruism of the farmer community. It is the world first Agrarian monument and the handwork is indigenous to Sri Lanka.