By

Niranjala Ariyawansha

Leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Anura Kumara Dissanayake, said the JVP accepts that the National Anthem should be sung in the Sinhala and Tamil languages as a policy. The JVP as a Party recongnizes that all languages should be given equal recongnition, he added.

Speaking to Ceylon Today, Dissanayake said: “Even now the National Anthem is sung in Tamil in the estate sector. The Tamil translation of the National Anthem is printed in school text books as well.Therefore, why are new issues being created that the national anthem should not be sung in Tamil? This practice is being followed at present.”

The JVP Leader added that the national anthem must be sung in the language that is spoken. National anthems aim at building love and honour. When you sing the national anthem in a language that you do not know, how can such love and honour be mooted? he questioned.

Jathika Hela Urumaya (HJU) Minister, Champika Ranawake, on the other hand who expressed views opposed to that of the JVP, said, according to the Constitution, the national anthemmust be sung in Sinhala; it would be against the Constitution, otherwise, he opined. The Public Administration Ministry has issued a circular which states how the national anthem should be sung. Therefore, if any person sings the national anthem without conforming to the stated requirements, it would tantamount to violating the Constitution, he added.

Speaking further, Minister Ranawake told Ceylon Today: “In areas that are predominantly Tamil populated, a Tamil recitation of the national anthem can follow after it is sung in Sinhala. But in some areas, it is being sung only in Tamil. That is wrong. People cannot be allowed to sing the national anthem in any way they want. If this had to be changed, we need to hold a referendum on it.”

COURTESY:CEYLON TODAY