- President urges Tamil and Muslim opposition parties to support efforts to foster inter-community understanding and build a peaceful Sri Lanka
Emphasising that every citizen of the country must have the freedom to live while respecting all religious and cultural identities, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the Government will not allow Sri Lanka to fall into any form of racist trap. He invited all parties to support the programme the Government is implementing towards this end.
The President made these remarks while attending a meeting held this afternoon (22) at the Presidential Secretariat to brief representatives of Tamil and Muslim parties in the opposition on the programmes currently planned for Sri Lanka Day, scheduled to be held this December.
‘Sri Lankan Day’ is being planned with the vision of bringing together all communities to foster mutual understanding and build a peaceful and harmonious Sri Lanka.
The initiative to organise the Sri Lanka Day celebration by bringing together all communities received the appreciation of all party leaders and representatives who participated and they also presented their views and proposals in this regard.
The representatives stressed that, under the guidance of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, they would extend their unconditional support to the national “A Nation United” mission aimed at defeating the drug menace, as well as to the Government’s programme to foster national and religious harmony.
Extensive discussions were held on the organisational activities of the national programme for Sri Lanka Day, which is being coordinated by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. The President further instructed the organising committee to design the programmes and plans in a manner that allows everyone to participate together on a common platform, transcending political, religious and cultural differences.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs Muneer Mulaffer and Ministry Secretary Prince Senadheera. Also present were MPs Elayathamby Srinath, Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran and T. Ravikaran representing the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK); Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan representing the Tamil National Alliance (TNA); Kader Mastan representing the Sri Lanka Labour Party; M.L.A.M. Hizbullah representing the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC); Palani Thigambaram representing the Tamil Progressive Alliance (DPF); Mano Ganesan representing the Democratic People’s Front (DPF); and Rishad Bathiudeen representing the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), MP Ramanathan Archuna and several other officials and representatives. President’s Media Division (PMD)