Singing National Anthem in Sinhala, Tamil no issue: Minister
Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardana today said singing the National Anthem at the 68th Independence Day celebrations at Galle Face in Sinhala and Tamil was not an issue because the Constitution clearly states that Sinhala and Tamil are national languages and as such it could be sung in both languages at any State function.
He told the media at the Prime Minister’s office that the singing of the National Anthem in Tamil was not a new phenomenon because the National Anthem was sung in Tamil at the first Independence Day celebrations in 1948 and at many State functions since then.
“One must realize that there is no use of singing the National Anthem in Sinhala in Kilinochchi or in Tamil in Matara. The government has done much for reconciliation and promoting communal harmony following the electoral victories of January 8 and August 17 last year. The 68th Independence Day celebrations will be a catalyst to the positive developments in the country,” the minister said.
He said the official 68th Independence Day celebrations will be held at Galle Face Green on Thursday from 8.00 am to 12.00 noon.
The main ceremony will be more colourful with the singing of the National Anthem, Jayamangala Gatha and ‘Devo Wassathu Kalena’ by a bevy of girls from 13 schools.
Nearly 8,917 personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Civil Defence Force will take part in the march past.
There will be a 21-Gun Salute to President Maithripala Sirisena by the Sri Lanka Army and a 25-gun salute to the Nation by the Sri Lanka Navy.
The Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Muslim religious ceremonies for the 68th Independence Day celebrations will be begin today with an all-night Pirith chanting ceremony at the Independence Hall.
The Traffic Police has put in place a special traffic plan effective from Tuesday to Thursday.
Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi and Police Chief N.K. Illangakone were present at the news briefing.
(Daily Mirror)
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can we have a hip hop version of the national anthem and allow its rendition to free fall. Now that we have hybrid courts what about an english version for the benefit of turks norwegians and chinese. i remember once upon a time there was a military parde that went on for hours in the sweltering heat of february. that went out of fashin when mubarak had sadat killed while he was taking the guard of honor or was it when a naval rating almost bumped off rajiv. anyway now that we are to start the perehera season why have state sponsored procession in the name of independece.
when we were given independece we had a thriving plantation industry that paid off for the gal oya project in 3 years. now most of it is gone and sustained by an army of small holders
what about a 21 gun salute for ranil after all it was he who made sirisena president therefore he ought to be honoured.
8917 is an odd number
religion should not enter politics or will it have to wait until the government takes on kathikawath bill.
like during medival times the government should parade all political prisoners and polticians awaiting trial
Quote: “One must realize that there is no use of singing the National Anthem in Sinhala in Kilinochchi or in Tamil in Matara”
That means we already have two countries.
People in the country who loves the Nation, should start throwing stones to those politicians.
They screw the country and vanish to other lands once this starts boiling.
Before that people must stand and pull them out.
This is not a political game anymore, this is about the country.
We Muslims need our national anthem in arabic?.the present government would insert this in to new constitution.we Muslims turned the previous mahindas gov upside-down and maitri’s gov is well aware of that. Hence if they are not willing to fullfill our request, sebsequently again we flop this good governance upside-down for the favour of mahindas gov.
Nowadays mahinda is starving for Muslims votes. Mind it.
Ranil will next ask ” What harm Wigneswaran will run the North while I rule the rest ? After all it is still one country.. ”
I remember he uttered something similar when Prabakaran was alive. Betrayal is in his blood.