Several religious observances were organised island wide today in lieu of President Mahinda Rajapaksas birthday today.The president who engaged in religious observances at the Kelaniya Vidyalankara Pirivena this evening, obtained blessings from the Uthpalawanna Sri Vishnu Dewala where he also released 68 cows due to be slaughtered.The President subsequently travelled to the Kelaniya Rajamaha Vihara & the Kaduwela Ganewaththa Purana Raja Maha Vihara for further religious observances.Moreover President Mahinda Rajapaksa is due to leave for Kazakhstan tomorrow for a three day official visit.