President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced a groundbreaking budget proposal to introduce a national festival that celebrates the diverse cultures, traditions, and values of all ethnic groups in Sri Lanka.
Speaking at a public meeting in Valvettithurai, Jaffna, the President emphasized the need for a unified celebration that transcends individual religious and cultural festivities. While Sri Lanka has long observed separate national, religious, and cultural festivals, there has never been an occasion where all communities—Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, and others—come together for a single celebration.
The proposed festival, scheduled for October, will highlight the unique aspects of Sri Lanka’s multicultural identity, including food, dress, music, drama, poetry, and traditional practices of all ethnic communities.
“Don’t we want a day where we all celebrate together—Tamils, Sinhalese, Buddhists, Catholics, and Muslims? We have planned a grand national festival that brings together the cultures, cuisines, and lifestyles of all these communities,” President Dissanayake stated.
He further emphasized the importance of fostering unity among future generations. “Even if our generation waged war, we will not allow our children’s generation to do the same. We will build a country where the children of the North, South, and East grow together in harmony,” he declared.
The proposal aims to reinforce national reconciliation and social cohesion, making October a symbolic month for unity and shared cultural appreciation across Sri Lanka.
