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National Anthem should be sung in Tamil in North and East

9 December 2011 01:48 pm - 90     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The National Anthem is continually sung in Sinhala in the north and the east, and it should be allowed to be sung in Tamil in those areas, TNA MP for the Batticaloa District S. Selvarajah said today.

He said that though the Minister of National Languages, Vasudeva Nanayakkara assured that the National Anthem could be sung in both the languages, it was not in practice in the north and the east.

Public Administration Minister John Seneviratne said that there is no barrier in singing the National Anthem either in Tamil or Sinhala.

“May be, it is sung in Sinhala on certain occasions by choice. However, there is no restriction for it be sung in Tamil,” he told Mr. Selvarajah. (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)

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  Comments - 90

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  • qxt Saturday, 10 December 2011 08:20 AM

    Indian National Anthem is written in highly Sanskritized (Tatsama) Bengali language. Not in Hindi.

    jayawic Saturday, 10 December 2011 10:01 AM

    very constructive idea one should take this to highlight of government

    Raj Saturday, 10 December 2011 09:38 AM

    I am Sri Lankan, but my mother tongue is Tamil, there is no such thing as Sri Lanka mother tongue. I would rather sing the Anthem in the language I understand.

    Raj Saturday, 10 December 2011 09:35 AM

    And the other way to shut the sinhala racist faction is to have it all in sinhala?

    Raj Saturday, 10 December 2011 09:31 AM

    Its the same Anthem, with the same meaning sung in a language which is understood by the person who is reciting it. In this case a tamil person will like to sing it in Tamil, as he/she will understand and recite it. Ayubowan and Vankkam are the same meaning though in different lanuage.

    Chamara Saturday, 10 December 2011 09:32 AM

    Please be citizen of Srilanka. What is the problem if they sang in Tamil? In Canada they sing in English and French.

    Sue Saturday, 10 December 2011 09:26 AM

    You can see the number of racists we have in this country in spite of everyone being holy and following Lord Buddha's teachings. No wonder we have all these problems. Why not share the National Anthem; one anthem consisting of both Sinhala and English verses. It will be the best example of our willingness to share.

    GSK Saturday, 10 December 2011 09:25 AM

    Nuwan: My friend the Indian National Anthem is not in Hindi, its in India least minority language "Sanskrit Bangle" !!! you made the same mistake like Minister wimal Weeravansasa, pls read and understand the world !!! many dont do it in SL !!!

    Truh Finder Saturday, 10 December 2011 09:23 AM

    Not necessarily bro... there are some countries who have in multiple languages.. specially in a country where we have problems with language and race, we need to make sure all are happy and proud to call SL as their mother land.. dont push people outside..

    Truh Finder Saturday, 10 December 2011 09:16 AM

    Dont comment if you dont know facts... there are many countries who have the anthem in many languages..

    deva Saturday, 10 December 2011 08:59 AM

    Indian national anthem is in Bengali, written by Dr Rabindranath Tagore, not in Hindi! Bengali is spoken by only 7% of Indians.

    Ruvan Saturday, 10 December 2011 08:37 AM

    For those who don't know, the New Zealand antem is sung in Maori and in English. The South African anthem is sung in 5 of its 11 official languages. So may be we need to create a higbrid with some versus in Tamil. I don't speak Tamil myself but I think it is just to have both official languages in the antem. All those Sinhala and Tamil racists can go and hang cause Sri Lanka is bigger than you and what matters is what the future of Sri Lanka.

    Rick Saturday, 10 December 2011 10:12 AM

    This subject always seems to show, how ignorant, Lankans are regarding their no how of other nations.

    You always find India been refered to by both sides of the argument. So just to start their;

    1. The Indian Anthem is not in Hindi.
    2. It is in Bengali, a minority language and reason is, it was written by Tagore, in his language. Which is Bengali.

    So shouldn't the Anthem in Lanka also be given that same respect and be sung in language it was written in??????

    To the person refering to NZ. The case in the English invader and the native. Its different story of sorts in Lanka case. Basically, you cannot mix oil and water.

    Gerry Saturday, 10 December 2011 07:25 AM

    Stop focussing on these trivial things and concentrate on building the values within people. Any blooming version is not going to save this country the way people behave amongst each other. There is a lack of respect for one and other and everybody is for themselve trying to make a buck by way of hook or crook.

    John Saturday, 10 December 2011 06:08 AM

    Follow the civilised way its done without a fuss as in NZ, South Africa, Canada et al for harmony in multi-racial societies. Otherwise its forced upon minorities who have equal rights as claimed in the Constitution. .

    mani Saturday, 10 December 2011 06:06 AM

    Indian national anthem is in bengali, not hindi

    fanam Saturday, 10 December 2011 06:05 AM

    Flag Salutation

    We salute the National Flag of Sri Lanka, which signifies the independence of our Country and stands for all its people, united as one Nation.

    We pledge allegiance to Sri Lanka and under take to work towards its peace and prosperity in a spirit of tolerance and love

    fanam Saturday, 10 December 2011 06:06 AM

    Flag Salutation

    We salute the National Flag of Sri Lanka, which signifies the independence of our Country and stands for all its people, united as one Nation.

    We pledge allegiance to Sri Lanka and under take to work towards its peace and prosperity in a spirit of tolerance and love

    Lalith Saturday, 10 December 2011 05:56 AM

    I am afraid you are wrong; National Anthem is sung in two languages (Maori & English) in New-Zealand.

    fanam Saturday, 10 December 2011 05:57 AM

    I quite agree with your suggestion although it is very unlikely to happen. I can sing it full in both languages and if it is sung as one in both mixed language, I would feel it more for mother lanka. Not many are positive thinking.

    fanam Saturday, 10 December 2011 05:56 AM

    Ajith i agree with your comments. Anthony is making an ignorant comment here by saying that mother tongue of Sri Lankans is Sinhala. There is Tamil, Malay, Vedhi language, and even English. If we only have the National Anthem in Sinhala like in India its only available in Hindi, we should not bring in a change. But in Sri Lanka we already have a beautiful anthem in Tamil as well for which people should have the freedom to sing it. I would be worried if someone does not sing at all than singing it in eithe language.

    fanam Saturday, 10 December 2011 05:44 AM

    I dont agree with the comments that National Anthem should be sung in one language. There are many Sinhalese speaking people who don't know the national anthem including some ministers. What is important is its meaning and how much you respect and concentrate when it is played and how you feel about it. I am a minority myself and I can sing it in both Sinhala and Tamil. I have sung it in Tamil when i was kid since I come from upcountry. I sing it in Sinhala when it is done in Sinhala. It should be a matter of what majority is gathered to sing it or sing in both language. This minister is not asking not to sing the National Anthem, he is asking it to be sung in his own language since a clear Tamil version is available.

    Unity Saturday, 10 December 2011 05:35 AM

    There are 2 common Languages Internationally recognised.

    1 Play the Music of the National Anthem
    2 Silence it the language to follow.

    This will solve all issues globally not only in Sri Lanka

    God Bless Sri Lanka and Rest of the World.

    banda Saturday, 10 December 2011 12:35 PM

    English my foot.....

    gayantha Monday, 12 December 2011 06:37 AM

    Yes, lot of commented by taking other countries as an example to do it. But they fairly ignore the same when it come to sang in one language. This separatism began when there are several entities that it is hard to micro manage like in India. It doesn't matter how USA doing or India doing. But here in Sri Lanka things are not like that. It has it own shape.

    xlntgson Sunday, 11 December 2011 10:39 PM

    Language problem, music no problem!

    Oyage sudu kella Sunday, 11 December 2011 10:01 AM

    well said Raj. My Sinhalese brothers and sisters, will you ever sing our national anthem in Tamil ?? Then, why not our Tamil brothers and sisters sing it in the language they understand, or in both languages as one anthem ??

    Andy Sunday, 11 December 2011 04:00 AM

    I love your comment; Totally agree with you.

    Ranjo Saturday, 10 December 2011 01:39 PM

    South African anthem is in....?

    Ranjo Saturday, 10 December 2011 01:29 PM

    Can we have it in Tamil, then? This would be a good gesture by the Sinahala aiyas and akkas to Tamil mallis and nangis.

    madu Saturday, 10 December 2011 01:19 PM

    This is srilanka, they should follow us. Don't think about other country. why we change pretty good national anthem?

    Naufer Saturday, 10 December 2011 01:15 PM

    One country, one flag, one anthem and one leader. No alteration is needed at all.

    Ramesh Saturday, 10 December 2011 12:52 PM

    Sri Lanka should make a new national anthem..The one we have is not good enough..it should have few versus in Tamil too..Just because 3-4 countries saying it in few languages we dont have to do the same..coz there are 200+ countries who dont do that !...Like Sinhalese Tamils too shouldnt be too strict in there ideology.Other minorities dont have everything that tamils in this country have.+other minorities in SL too are lot better..They should start loving this country & shouldn`t make problems all the time..If they cant do that they leave Sri Lanka !

    banda Saturday, 10 December 2011 12:41 PM

    Indian National Anthem, is highly sanskritized (written in a literary register called Sadhu bhasa). As quasi-Sanskrit text, it is acceptable in many modern Indic languages, but the pronunciation varies considerably across India. It sounds like familiar language to all Indians as it uses many Sanskrit words.

    kondebendapucheena Saturday, 10 December 2011 04:50 AM

    65 million TN Tamils sing Indian national Anthem in Hindi Come guys

    banda Saturday, 10 December 2011 12:30 PM

    Have one verse in Tamil.... c'mon now not come up with the impossible 50-50 demand which led to all this blood shed....

    Vijay Singh Sodi Saturday, 10 December 2011 12:25 PM

    In South Africa they sing partly in Afrkaner and partly in English and in a native African tongue. In New Zealand they do partly in Maori and English. we have 2 languages. Merge sinhala and Tamil lyrics and sing. So all 3 ethnic groups sing in both languages. As simple as that

    banda Saturday, 10 December 2011 12:27 PM

    Have one verse in Tamil and rest in Sinhala....

    Dee Saturday, 10 December 2011 11:53 AM

    OK. here we go again.

    Ellepola Saturday, 10 December 2011 11:29 AM

    That is why they should go to Canada and there they could start singing in Tamil

    farook Saturday, 10 December 2011 11:09 AM

    That is canada. This is SRILANKA. First understand this.

    Man B Saturday, 10 December 2011 11:05 AM

    one time your party only said not to sung National anthem in our areas.why did you all change the mind now.

    shiran Saturday, 10 December 2011 10:47 AM

    Many of these comments are sickening. First of all it should be understood that there are more than five countries in the world who sing their national anthem in more than one language. Anybody can check the websites.

    shiran Saturday, 10 December 2011 10:39 AM

    Read the Srilankan constitution. Both Sinhala and Tamil are national and official languages.

    shiran Saturday, 10 December 2011 10:34 AM

    Do not shout with under information and education. In India the national anthem is in Bengali, a relatively smaller minority when compared with Hindi, Telugu and Tamil.

    Anthony Murcott Friday, 09 December 2011 04:44 PM

    MR HON MP.

    A COUNTRY NATIONAL ANTHEM IS SUNG ONLY IN YOUR MOTHER TONGUE, AND SRILANKA MOTHER LANGUAGE IS SINHALESE, SO WE SHOULD NOT GET THE WRONG IMPRESSION, THAT BY SINGING THE NATIONAL ANTHEN IN SINHALES, THAT THERE IS ANY DISCRIMINATION, WHERE THE TAMILS, MUSLIMS, MALAYS OR BURGHERS, SO LETS NOT MAKE AN ISSUE OF THIS WE ARE ALL ONE FAMILY.

    Malth Friday, 09 December 2011 07:25 PM

    Why sing the National Anthem in any other language when it can be sung in Sinhala? If you need to sing the National Anthem then sing it the way it should be sung. If you don't know to sing the National Anthem in Sinhala then you need to not sing it and go about doing your business. Why should they sing the National Anthem in Tamil? This is again we are creating a separation and giving the dividers the upper hand. Stop this Nonsense. We have one National Anthem and sing the way it should be sung. Don't make this is a big issue and create havoc in the country.

    damo Friday, 09 December 2011 07:10 PM

    there are lots of countries which sing their national anthem in different languages for example Canada, South Africa and Switzerland

    rifaq Friday, 09 December 2011 06:56 PM

    we neeed all peace and not pieces
    so it is better not to create idle sence

    V Andrew Friday, 09 December 2011 06:54 PM

    We should think smart and have a national anthem, which is sung in both the languages. Something like the South African national anthem, which has verses in Xhosa, Zulu, English and Afrikaans,

    Sarath Rambuk Friday, 09 December 2011 06:44 PM

    In USA there are 250 nations living and they respect here main language, that is English and national anthem also English.
    Our idiots are again trying to provocate innocent people for another war.
    Hellow, go to india and tell indian govt to sung there anthem also in Tamil. Ok, get their response first and come back.
    Next time, Muslim people will ask , we need it in Arabic, then Bugers will ask that should be english too.
    Mr.Anthony Murcott, I really agreed to your comments.
    This type of leaders, must disapper from the world!!

    From USA.

    Ajith Friday, 09 December 2011 06:30 PM

    Anthony, understand the difference .Tamil is a language, where as muslims, malays or burghers (Christians) are referrered to Religions. I think the MP is not asking the national anthem to be sung by different religions differently.. He is not asking an Hindu national anthem.. and all Sri Lankan's mother tongue is not sinhalese. What matters is that we are all are singing the Sri lankan National them, irrelevant in what language we sing... Dont force and divide the country further....

    Ajith Friday, 09 December 2011 06:29 PM

    this has been the practice from long singing the national anthem in tamil in north and east. there are countries where national anthem is sung in different lanugauges. Please dont push things..this will divide the country more.Why cant we be flexbile in allowing them singing in Tamil as long as they are singing the Sri Lankan National Anthem...The way forward should be integrating both languages in our National Anthem...

    nena Friday, 09 December 2011 06:16 PM

    You have the freedom to choose any language for the anthem. Some people in in it Sinhala but they do not care its' content at all. Atleast we have to drop this language myth now. we are a multinational country.

    ravi Friday, 09 December 2011 05:47 PM

    why no need national anthem..

    From India Friday, 09 December 2011 05:36 PM

    But in India,power is shared enormously among states with federalism!!

    nuwan Friday, 09 December 2011 05:20 PM

    In Tamil Nadu, national anthem is sung in Hindi. Like wise every State of India sings it in Hindi.

    Kumar Friday, 09 December 2011 07:26 PM

    Bengali - not Hindi

    Thomas Friday, 09 December 2011 04:24 PM

    RIGHTLY SAID. IMPLEMENT IT!

    sam Friday, 09 December 2011 04:13 PM

    Of course. Why not? American national anthem is sung in spanish in New Mexico, Arizona and Texas where spanish speaking people are the majority!!!!!

    RDF Friday, 09 December 2011 03:47 PM

    A national anthem should be sung only in one language.

    Wildlife Friday, 09 December 2011 03:47 PM

    Yes its a good idea or maybe it can be sung like the New zealand national song, half singhala and the other half tamil.
    sounds cool! but people gotta get used to the lyrics:)

    ananda D Friday, 09 December 2011 03:51 PM

    NO WAY !!!

    Kottu Friday, 09 December 2011 03:26 PM

    National Anthem is National Anthem.... it must remain as it is. None of the other countries are doing that in the world.

    Dinithi Friday, 09 December 2011 03:33 PM

    We should have only one version and that version should have both Sinhala and Tamil verses in it. So we should consider changing the current national anthem. We could drop one verse and insert a tamil one. Sinhala nationalists may scream but that is the way forward. This is the only way to shut the tamil racist faction and ensure all people in the country sing the same thing.

    Mifaz Friday, 09 December 2011 03:22 PM

    Pretty good idea though..

    farook Friday, 09 December 2011 03:07 PM

    MP, making ethic problem,One national anthem should be in one language in one country.

    Patriot Friday, 09 December 2011 03:02 PM

    This should never be allowed. This leads to separatism. Nowhere in the world a national anthem is sung in multiple languages. In India, its in Hindi, not Tamil.

    Chandana Saturday, 10 December 2011 02:06 AM

    As a matter of facts, indian national anthem is not hindi. It's in bengali language. Bengali is a minority language in india.

    a lawyer Saturday, 10 December 2011 04:24 AM

    Indian National anthem is in Bengali and in its words include Pakistan and Bangladesh also as parts of India. Reason is that Takoor wrote this song for entire India before separation in 1947. accepted this as the national anthem after the separation. Pl Hon MP be a NATIONALIST forget racialism. thank you.

    Ajithkumar Saturday, 10 December 2011 04:27 AM

    That is why India is a divided country - politicians cannot enter officially another state without permission - do we have that in our country…

    a lawyer Saturday, 10 December 2011 04:17 AM

    DEAR HON' MP.

    THE NATIONAL ANTHEM IS RECOGNIZED IN THE CONSTITUTION. MAY I REPRODUCED ARTICLE 7 OF THE CONSTITUTION.
    7. The National Anthem of the Republic of Sri Lanka shall be " Sri Lanka Matha" the words and the music of which are set out in the Third Schedule.

    The third schedule gives the exact words and music with notes. IF YOU ARE TO MAKE A NATIONAL ANTHEM IN TAMIL it is necessary to amend the Article 7. Further Article 82 specifically mentions the mode of repealing and amending the constitution. to amend Art. 7 it needs 2/3 majority of parliament and shall be endorsed by people at a referendum. This is the provision and without making any ha-ho pl say what you can do.
    National anthem is for the nation and not for any ethnic group . we should be able to respect the National Anthem without any ill-feeling as much as the National Flag.

    Herby Padmaperuma. Saturday, 10 December 2011 04:24 AM

    At a time when more important matters remain to be settled in the process of the reconciliation, some political idiots from the North and the South are not only faning fire of racial animocity,
    nows receeding, but also offer greenr fodder to the TNA, Sambadnam etc, who are veery unhappy if there is inter communal amity. Anti Sri Lankan unpatriotic leftist Vasudeva Nanayakka DEW Gunasekarahas now joined John Senevirathne.Everey country has only One Nation ,which has only One National Anthem ad National Flag. Why speak of Mexico etc. see Grat Inda,One Nationa Langage and One Anthem both afre HINDU. Our anthenm and the flag ara Constitutionalised. It cannot be changed unless by a referandum.

    David Saturday, 10 December 2011 04:06 AM

    Another solution is to redo the same anthem in both Sinhala and Tamil. One verse in Sinhala and One verse in Tamil. This was Sinhalese will also sing some parts in Tamil and Tamils also sing in some parts Sinhala.

    sv Saturday, 10 December 2011 04:01 AM

    India with 18 official languages and more than 100 unofficial languages,the national anthem is sung by all in Hindi,although the original version is Bengali.Although there is no need to follow other countries,good examples can always be looked at.

    Esala Saturday, 10 December 2011 03:43 AM

    Stay in India don't come here. This is Sri Lanka we do waht we want not the other countries want.

    Esala Saturday, 10 December 2011 03:41 AM

    We talking National anthem not the power. I can see what you want. That is dreem.

    Hashir Saturday, 10 December 2011 03:00 AM

    I agree wit Ajith and dinithi.we should involve the minority in national stuffs, give their rights and make them feel they are part of this country.not for a another hell of a communal crisis.Lets be united guys.lets dont do the mistakes which some of our nationalist leaders did and dragged a communal war.

    Jason Patta Saturday, 10 December 2011 02:39 AM

    I think its time Sri Lanka had a new national anthem which contains verses in Sinhala, Tamil and English. This will be a wonderful reflection of an united Sri Lanka. The authorities should run a competition to select the best new anthem for the country.

    Ellepola Friday, 09 December 2011 02:55 PM

    They canr do that in Tamil nadu in India. Shouldnt be akkowed.

    Senath Saturday, 10 December 2011 01:30 AM

    In Canada on all occasions the national anthem is sung partly in English and partly in French and that's how they respect the 2 languages of the country . Only one Canadian Province out of 10 provinces is French if you need more information. So the main problem in Sri Lanka is still someone thinking that they belong to the MAJORITY which is totally wrong that's not democracy it is nothing but RACISM using democracy as a tool.

    resplendant Saturday, 10 December 2011 01:17 AM

    We can argue all we like, but by bringing up issues such at this, you are only giving nationalists on both races to propagate their agendas making people more polarized. It s time for both races to heal and look at the human issues that are important to the Tamil Community. A. R. Rahaman made a beautiful rendition of the Indian Namtional Anthem, in Hindi !. Lets take some examples.

    Dorothy Saturday, 10 December 2011 12:25 AM

    Ajith it was always drilled to me by a Malay friend that Muslim is not a religion but Isalm is the religion . Burghher is not a religion but an ethnic group created in colonial times to indicate the people of mixed descent who mostly were urban dwellers at that time as in contrast to the rural people of native origin . Come on! lets not mix up the metaphors and go along with tradition which is a safe way of following protocol at functions .

    MK Friday, 09 December 2011 11:30 PM

    Every one in the country should sing the national anthem in one language to show our unity. North and East are two provinces of Sri Lanka and not a separate country.

    godaya Friday, 09 December 2011 11:10 PM

    I think the national anthem should be sung in both languages. This has been very successful in countries like New Zealand. Please listen to their requests with an open mind. We should do what we can do to accept their language and culture as a part of Sri Lankan culture.

    Kevin Fernandes Friday, 09 December 2011 10:46 PM

    Small correction, India's National Anthem is not in hindi. It is sung in Bengali language

    Mervyn Friday, 09 December 2011 09:54 PM

    In America and in United Kingdom the national anthem is sung in English, in France in French, in Italy in Italian, in Germany in German , in Spain in Spanish, and even in India the mother land of Tamils the national anthem is sung in Hindustani, even though there are millions of other minorities live in these countries. The National Anthem is the pride of the nation and the country which it belongs to and should be sung in the mother tongue of the majority, here it is Singhalese and there should never be any exception to this. Because, even these so called respecters of human rights does not let their National Anthem to be sung in any other language other than in the language of the majority at public events.

    Dans Friday, 09 December 2011 09:16 PM

    If your facts are right then to sing in their mother tonque then the mother tonque of the Tamils (hindus, Muslims and christians) is Tamil.
    There is NO mother tonque for a nation. Further Tamil is a official language of Sri-lanka along with Sinhala.

    Dans Friday, 09 December 2011 09:07 PM

    Get your facts right before you try to talk
    Indian national anthem is not in Hindi, it is in Bengaly language.
    That is true democratic.

    Lala Friday, 09 December 2011 09:06 PM

    I tried singing the US national anthem in Sinhala but did not sound the same. Idiots ! Is there any country in the world with two national anthems. Not ene in the US the ultimate country of freedom there only one language, one flag, one national anthem and undivided under one flag.

    Yes if Tamilnadu can sing it in Tamil, that will be the day. No matter what Tamils in India are very proud Indians and they are first Indian and second Tamil.


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