Budget proposal to celebrate common festival in October: President

31 January 2025 05:00 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 63 Bookmark

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Colombo, January 31 (Daily mirror) - The government has planned to include a budget proposal to celebrate a common national festival in October together with all communities while depicting their unique identities, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Adressing a meeting in Jaffna, he said the Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and Christian communities celebrate different fesitivals such as Vesak, Thai Pongal, Christmas and Ramazan and stressed the need to have a common festival for all communities to celebrate together.

He said the government will include a budget proposal to celebrate a common festival in October showcasing unique identities of all communities such as culture, food patterns, life styles, costimues, music, drama and poems.

Comments - 63

Kevin Friday, 31 January 2025 05:06 PM

Please do it on the weekend

5 40

Rama Friday, 31 January 2025 05:15 PM

Use independence day for that dummy. Stop wasting ppls money.

11 63

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 31 January 2025 05:18 PM

We should invite fellows like Gnanasara, Gamanpilla, Weerawansa, Patali and Mahinda as guests of honor for this.

14 30

Cow Dung Friday, 31 January 2025 09:52 PM

…. and Sumanthirans, Ponnambalams, Sriththarans, Arunachalans as Chief Guests

16 28

Dr. Dee esquire Friday, 31 January 2025 05:31 PM

For sure after getting full control of local and provincial elections.

7 13

DOT Friday, 31 January 2025 05:53 PM

Are you trying to give an another payed holiday ?

6 20

Mahila Saturday, 01 February 2025 07:07 AM

‘PAID’, ‘UNPAID’ – absolutely IRRELEVANT!!?? ‘THAT'S the NEED of the HOUR’ by this “COUNTRY TO HEAL” and MUCH NEEDED at whatever Cost!? BRING IT ON!!?? SIGNIFY THAT MEGA CHANGE!?

7 5

SLEx Friday, 31 January 2025 05:55 PM

This is something I wholeheartedly support! Good Job on this Mr. President. Its about time people of Sri Lanka unite. Almost everything we do is common, and the things that are different should be celebrated together. In Malaysia, the way the communities come together to celebrate Ramadan, Diwali and Chinese New Year is heart warming! I hope to see us united against everything that tries to break us apart before the end of this decade!

27 29

THIS IS NOT MALAYSIA, THIS IS SRI LANKA. Friday, 31 January 2025 11:29 PM

SLEX, IF YOU THINK A COMBINED/COMMON FESTIVAL IS GOING TO BRING EVERYONE TOGETHER YOU MUST BE ON THE WRONG PAGE. EVERYONE WILL ATTEND, BUT WHAT SENSE DOES IT MEAN. WE ALL MOVE ABOUT TOGETHER AT FUNCTIONS, CONCERTS, WEDDINGS, CARNIVALS, FAIRS, SPORTS AND MANY MORE OCCASIONS, WHAT MORE DO WE NEED?. DO YOU THINK WE DO NOT CELEBRATE AT THESE VENUES, WE DO. DOESN'T MEAN WE GO THROUGH THE CROWDS AND INTRODUCE OURSELVES AND START A FRIENDSHIP!! YOU ARE WRONG, IF WE MEET ANYONE WE KNOW YES, BUT STRANGERS!! NO.

2 10

SLEx Saturday, 01 February 2025 10:42 AM

Also I know this is Sri Lanka and not Malaysia. But we are a multi cultural and multi religious country just like them. Maybe start understanding others perspectives before sticking to your close minded one.

0 4

LankaN2 Friday, 31 January 2025 06:03 PM

This is a brilliant Idea. Sri Lankan people must have some space to enjoy their live as one nation and as a one Lankan community. What can be more fascinating but to have a national day to celebrate our cultural and religious diversity in this way .I think that we should have it nationwide. We must be proud as Sri Lankans. We have different food of different communities in Sri Lanka and we need to take them to national levels. This is a good to expose our different food culture. It could be a national or international event to attract tourism. We need to have different outlook in our national identity and locality: we can make a difference like Singapore has done.

21 26

Why duplicate?? Friday, 31 January 2025 09:55 PM

We already have a national day. It's onthe 4th of February!

5 35

Gamini Bandara Friday, 31 January 2025 06:22 PM

Why separate festival. Lets celebrate Independence day together without adding another holiday to calendar. .

4 43

Hassan Saturday, 01 February 2025 02:32 AM

Go and see other countries. People don't work every week. The tourist come to our country on their holidays do we have such in Sri Lanka. People should get some lengthy enjoyment period.

3 2

RanjithT Friday, 31 January 2025 06:29 PM

Firstly appropriation bill is already tabled and probably will include this cost at the committee stage discussions, which means there is NO proper planning of the expenditure for the year 2025 is done. These haphazard changes will have a negative effect on the budget deficit...Secondly Comrade wanting to reduce cost has curtailed the Independence Day calibrations to the barest minimum. He even did away with jayamangala Gatha at the inauguration of the parliamentary sessions as a cost reduction mechanism on an austerity drive..... Thirdly Now Comrade wants a state sponsored NEW festival in October. I wonder where the austerity is?... Fourthly is this a sinister, subtle conspiracy to wipe out the identity of Sinhalese Buddhist culture which existed for over 2500 years? ...finally Comrade has had a meeting with party members and JVP affiliated trade unions where a large crowd had attended few days ago at Temple Trees which national media filed to report. A leaked video is in the net.

6 15

Gamini Saturday, 01 February 2025 10:05 AM

Reducing the cost of Independence Day calibrations and doing away with the jayamangala Gatha at the inauguration of the parliamentary sessions as a cost reduction is the best and most sensible thing AKD has done. Religion and politics should be kept apart at all cost for unity and peace

0 7

පිස්සු නැත්තං සෝක් Friday, 31 January 2025 06:30 PM

Let's celebrate all birthdays of all Sri Lankans on a special day. How do you like that?

4 17

RanjithT Saturday, 01 February 2025 02:26 PM

Sure. Shall we agree 1st of April as the day?

0 6

එහෙමද ආස Saturday, 01 February 2025 09:49 PM

Matching reply from the most suitable person.

0 1

Big Sam Friday, 31 January 2025 06:34 PM

Please, please dint find reasons for another tamasha at this time!

2 22

Have It The Day After Independence Day Friday, 31 January 2025 06:48 PM

Suggest to do it the day after Independence Day. As all citizens will be involved in the celebrations, the sprit of nationalism and togetherness will definitely have an impact to have this Common Festival.

3 16

Common man Friday, 31 January 2025 08:04 PM

Excellent idea for peace

14 9

Jay Friday, 31 January 2025 08:26 PM

One already exist. Its called independence day and is celebrated on 4th of February

1 23

WASTE OF TAX PAYERS HARD EARNED MONEY/TAXES Friday, 31 January 2025 08:31 PM

WHAT A LOAD OF BULL DUST, WE HAVE OUR OWN FESTIVALS AND A COMBINED ONE IS A WASTE OF TAX PAYERS MONEY. STOP WORRYING ABOUT COMING UP WITH NEW AGENDA'S STICK TO YOUR MANIFESTO. WE ARE ALL ONE COUNTRY AND ONE PEOPLE. MANY PEOPLE ALREADY TAKE PART IN OTHER RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS EG: VESAK, WE ALL GO AROUND VIEWING THE DECORATIONS VESAK LANTERNS IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES. WE GO TO THE HINDU TEMPLE DURING THEIR VEL FESTIVAL AND THE LIKES, SO WHY COME UP WITH THIS NEW COMBINES FESTIVAL?.

7 20

Shiyam Friday, 31 January 2025 08:33 PM

Should be really appreciated and reconciliation and togetherness is the way forward. Thank you for the thought Mr. President

13 10

Roshan Friday, 31 January 2025 09:09 PM

But all don’t have money to enjoy this carnival . Might as well have a day where all communities pray and ask for betterment of this country and punish all the crooks.

2 15

TIME FOR THE PRESIDENT AND HIS PARTY TO GET BACK ON TRACK OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES Friday, 31 January 2025 11:34 PM

WELL SAID ROSHAN, WHY NOT HAVE A COMMON PRAY DAY, WHERE ALL RELIGIONS/ALL PEOPLE PRAY IN THEIR FAITH FOR THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE. WHO HAS MONEY TO GO FOR THESE TYPE OF FUNCTIONS!! AND 80MILLION SPENT TO HOST THIS EVENT. BEGGARS BELIEF, WE THE PEOPLE CANNOT BELIEVE THE GOVT IS GOING OFF TRACK AND BY THE LOOKS OF IT PEOPLE WILL DROP OUT LIKE FLIES, SAD BUT TRUE (MARK THE PEOPLES WORDS).

0 0

Dr Tissa Fernando Friday, 31 January 2025 09:56 PM

Why October, looks like AKD wants to celebrate their victory anniversary at government expense. Otherwise why it cannt be done on 4 Feb .

6 22

Quo Vadis AKD Friday, 31 January 2025 09:57 PM

I dreamt a dream…….

0 11

Saman Leelaratne Saturday, 01 February 2025 07:17 AM

Ha..Ha...Ha.... good joke for the day. Anura thinks he can cheat forever; this time he will learn a good lesson from Muslims and Tamils as they will vote for Namal and back SLPP for sure.

2 3

Mahila Saturday, 01 February 2025 03:13 PM

Brilliant Idea by ADK!!?? Seems all are worried, ADK doing that celebration, would DAMAGE the chances of SLPP, SLFP, UNP, Sajith from gaining power at next elections!!?? It's also quite fitting to do that in October '25 so we celebrate, that the North and East of the country too, UNITEDLY VOTED WITH THE SOUTH, enable NPP!!?? The NPP victory is only incidental, but IMPORTANTLY, the NORTHEAST voted in UNITY with South, is VERY SIGNIFICANT!!?? Celebrate, resoundingly ensure recognition of UNITY, IN DIVERSITY!?

1 1

mk Friday, 31 January 2025 10:06 PM

well the only thing they will be celebrating is NPP party on that. stupid idea

1 4

Vajira Jayawardena Friday, 31 January 2025 10:44 PM

Converting all the President houses ? Its easy. someone has built those and now he is converting to get the credit. They should concentrate on the development of the country. Bring all the stolen money back to the country, Bring Arjuna Mahendra back to the country. If Custom do not have enough staff, use Army to scan the containers. Not just releasing. Take measures to control rice prices and coconut prices. Its easy to criticize. conduct strikes to jeopardize the economy. But to manage, its hard.

1 5

Dr Tissa Fernando Saturday, 01 February 2025 11:01 AM

Well said. So far only criticism. They have completely forgotten all disruptive actions they did over 55 years which cost the economy a staggering USD 200 billion in losses much more than the USD 18 billion stolen and taken to Uganda.

1 2

Buddhist Friday, 31 January 2025 10:45 PM

Great Idea, why not do it on Feb 3rd in place of independence day celebrations. If all communities can join together it would be the true independence day. We don't need any other thamasahas.

1 1

Professor a.s.Chandrabose Friday, 31 January 2025 11:19 PM

I too all heartedly support.

1 1

Red Comrades Saturday, 01 February 2025 01:36 AM

To celebrate the October Revolution of yesteryear that we then had dreams will bring us prosperity

0 3

Vivek Saturday, 01 February 2025 01:54 AM

This is needed. Celebrations to go for a month and boost tourism

0 0

K.A.W. Perera - Leading businessman Saturday, 01 February 2025 02:01 AM

Excellent move by our President. Yes, his main intention is to unite all the communities and all the religions together under one Umbrella. This is the reason he got 90% of the Tamil votes, Muslim

1 3

Russel Harmmer Saturday, 01 February 2025 02:06 AM

Thank you, Sir, for your well drawn plan to unite every citizen of SriLanka as one. MR, GR, Chandrika and Ranil divided the races, religions and existed in power and so many young people lost their lives. Now AKD had changed that dirty method.

0 2

Citizen Saturday, 01 February 2025 02:45 AM

October 24th is UN Day. Maybe AKD wants to celebrate it this year at our expense, our tax money! Without starting new trends to waste more money, stick to your manifesto please.

0 2

A Concerned Citizen Saturday, 01 February 2025 03:39 AM

This utter waste of money may be Rs 100.00 million. This day will also be a public holiday. It may not affect public service because over-staffed public sector workers do not do any work even on a working day. But it will affect activities in the private sector. We cannot improve racial harmony by having festivals. Another stupid decision by AKD.

0 7

Kelaniya ex Uni Comrades Saturday, 01 February 2025 04:04 AM

Another gimmick to celebrate the great October revolution that brought Marxist Leninism to power.

0 3

Kalu Julie Saturday, 01 February 2025 04:44 AM

Another disguise to celebrate the great October revolution

0 4

Ranga Saturday, 01 February 2025 05:25 AM

Reduce some holidays First SL has some of the highest on the world

1 3

Neo Saturday, 01 February 2025 05:59 AM

We already have our own new year. Why not everyone celebrate it? That is what they do in so called inclusive countries.

0 3

FIND ANOTHER WAY TO UNITE ONE AND ALL, INSTEAD OF SPENDING 80M Saturday, 01 February 2025 08:29 PM

NEO, ABSOLUTELY CORRECT 1ST JANUARY IS EVERYONES NEW YEAR, WHY NOT CELEBRATE 1ST JAN AS A COMMON FESTIVAL DAY, WITHOUT SPENDING 80 MILLION. HAVE A CARNIVAL IN COLOMBO AND BIG TOWN, GET SUPPLIERS TO COME IN THEIR TRUCKS, CARTS AND OR WHATEVER FOOD AND OTHER STALLS THEY LIKE TO SELL AND CHARGE FOR THE SPACE PROVIDED LIKE ANY OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRY DOES, SO THE GOVT GETS SOME INCOME, BANDS WILL PLAY (GOVT TO PAY FOR THEM) FUN AND GAMES CAN BE PROVIDED, ICE CREAM SELLERS, ELEPHANT HOUSE HVE A STALL WITH DRINKS ETC. STUDY HOW THEY DO IT IN OTHER COUNTRIES, NOT GOVT, BUT GOVT CAN GIVE THE PRIVATE SECTOR THE PREMISES EG GALLE FACE GREEN, PARKS. PUBLIC SCHOOL GROUNDS AND THE LIKES. FAR MORE CHEAPER FOR THE GOVT AND REST OF 80m CAN GO TOWARDS MORE NEEDY PROJECTS AND OR TRAINING CENTRES/STAFF ROUND THE COUNTRY.

0 0

S.A. Gunaratne - AKD bokka Saturday, 01 February 2025 07:11 AM

It is a HARD SLAP to Mahinda Rajapakshe and family because they followed (Sinhala only) dirty policy, but OUR PRESIDENT AKD brought this new proposal to unite the country.

4 2

Kopara Silva - Stronghold of Hon. MR Saturday, 01 February 2025 07:19 AM

Rather than cheating the poor masses, first bring down the price of rice

0 5

Ding Dong Namal Saturday, 01 February 2025 07:22 AM

AKD now itself (not even 6 months) failed but Ranil

0 0

Mohamed Burhan Saturday, 01 February 2025 08:31 AM

Common festival!I encourage and support this thinking.Also there should be 1 day festival for all family and relations in an arranged Hall for separate community ((ofcourse other people.I from any community csn be invited (.This will definitely reduce huge expenses on that day.)

2 0

Kamani Saturday, 01 February 2025 09:12 AM

Please make sure your government last till then and people survive under the heavy burden of the no control commodity prices in the country having appointed you the tragedy.

1 3

Ramesh Saturday, 01 February 2025 09:37 AM

"Thamashas" alone don't bring communities together. Each community should understand and respect other's believes without forcing one's onto others. This was the cause for all the problems we had in the country.

0 2

A Concerned Citizen Saturday, 01 February 2025 10:26 AM

It looks like the Independence Day 4th February is not sufficient to celebrate for all nationalities, and the NPP Government wants to spend another big slice of taxpayers' money. Well, done AKD

0 4

Sue Kirthisinghe Saturday, 01 February 2025 10:35 AM

No, No, No. Wrong move mate. You think we are stupid? This is a devious idea to celebrate the JVP revolution. We don't need any more holidays. Please don't start spending money on unnecessary festivals. I do think power has started to go to your head already.

0 5

අදර දඟර අතපාන (that's what his signature says) Saturday, 01 February 2025 12:18 PM

Hih Hee.... does he think that we're that stupid to believe what he's planning to do? Looks like trying to celebrate JVP revolution with public money.

0 3

Kannan Saturday, 01 February 2025 03:09 PM

There may be one or many celebrations . Until and unless there is greater autonomy in the North and East reconciliation will never never happen. Majority sides pipe dream for reconciliation in words only. Follow India, UK, USA and many European countries political pattern.

0 1

R Navaratnam Saturday, 01 February 2025 08:51 PM

Good thought by the President. The challenge will be the implementation in a way that does not disrupt productivity.

0 1

Patcitz Sunday, 02 February 2025 12:44 AM

Good move and good news too to those who wish multi-cultural activities together to form a good rapport.

0 1

S P Sunday, 02 February 2025 07:30 AM

I may be getting too sentimental but isn’t this what we have been trying hard but couldn’t achieve because of the narrow mindedness of some sections of the society? Even singing the national anthem in both languages became controversial to some. I wholeheartedly support this move and we all must have a common day to celebrate. Some suggest the Independence Day but independence has long lost its significance. Hopefully this must not only make bridges between different communities but also between political divides too. This is a reminder to JVP especially as it looks they don’t tolerate any opposing views to theirs (look at the language some of them use here)! Well done Hon. President but may be you also need some self awareness to be more statesman like when you make some political speeches especially in the South!

0 0

Foot note Sunday, 02 February 2025 10:49 AM

This is nothing but promoting LMNOp global culture, the baseline of NPP/JVP politics which is same as previous policy-regime also anticipated. This won't help solving any problem or eradicate corruption.

0 1

Terrence K Sunday, 02 February 2025 03:12 PM

Aren't we having many individual and multiple festivites instead of making it a Big Sambola let the individual festivities remain as it is being happening. Festivals symbolizes each individuals beliefs and by complicating there will be no festival except that the government makes a big fuss of everything to make an opportunity in spending unnecessarily on these tamashas. Isn't Christmas and Vesak enough because we see different segments of society although not celebrating have a feel of these important festivities what more do the public want. !!!!!

0 0

ROHINI Sunday, 02 February 2025 05:48 PM

There is unity in diversity.

0 0

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