(UTV|COLOMBO) – -Cultural items to be limited to suit the theme “Secure Nation-Prosperous Country”
The Government’s attention has been drawn to reduce the number of participants at the National Day Parade by 30 per cent compared to last year, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
This was brought up at a meeting held to discuss preparations for the National Day at Temple Trees under the patronage of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.
The Cabinet Sub-Committee appointed to hold the National Day Ceremony on February 4 under the direction of the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs and Provincial Councils and Local Government has already commenced its work.
The government has decided to celebrate the 72nd Independence Day under the theme “Secure Nation-Prosperous Country” and to limit the cultural items to fit the theme.
It has been decided at the meeting to give the opportunity to the Weera Podujana Padanama (Peoples Heroes Foundation), a group of people who saved lives of others by risking their own lives, to join the National Day Parade.
Prime Minister Rajapaksa also said that the National Flag should be hoisted at every house on the National Day and that all necessary measures should be taken to plant a useful tree at every house at the same time.
The Prime Minister added that everyone should pay attention to ensure the safety of the area around the festival grounds, as well as to conduct rehearsal activities so as not to cause any inconvenience to the public.
Ministers Chamal Rajapaksa, Dinesh Gunawardena, Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, Dullas Alahapperuma, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Mahinda Amaraweera and Mahinda Samarasinghe, Secretaries to the Ministries and members of the Armed Forces were present at the meeting. (DM)