67-year wait ends as National Anthem sung in Tamil on Independence Day

After 67 years, the National Anthem was sung in Tamil at Independence Day celebrations yesterday.

Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim school children dressed in white sang the Sinhala and Tamil versions of the National Anthem at the end of the celebrations.

The move, despite the opposition from some sections, is seen as a sincere effort by the Government to reach the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka for a meaningful reconciliation. The last time the National Anthem was sung in Tamil was in 1949.

“A first in my lifetime. After many years the Independence Day celebrations came to a close with the National Anthem sung in Tamil,” Deputy Foreign Minister Harsha de Silva commented on the move as a first via a Facebook post.

Minister Mano Ganesan in a Twitter message said the act goes a long way. “Yes it’s a very small act but one that goes long way forward. National Anthem in Tamil after decades. Victory 4 our coexistence journey.”