Every citizen of this country must be allowed to live freely, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised during a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat on Saturday (22).

The President held a meeting with leaders and representatives of Tamil and Muslim opposition parties to discuss the programmes planned for Sri Lanka Day, which is scheduled to be held in December. During the meeting, the President stated that every citizen of the country must be allowed to live freely while respecting all religious and cultural identities and without being subjected to discrimination. He invited all political party leaders to support the programme implemented by the Government towards this objective.

Sri Lanka Day is being planned with the vision of bringing together all communities to foster greater understanding among people and to build a peaceful and harmonious Sri Lanka, according to a communiqué issued by the President’s Media Division (PMD). The PMD added that ideas and proposals of Members of Parliament representing all communities were also sought during the discussion. The President has advised the organising committee to design the relevant programmes and plans in a manner that enables everyone to participate together, without division, the PMD added.

Recently, the Cabinet of Ministers granted permission to hold the Sri Lankan Day programmes from 12-14 December at the Colombo Town Hall grounds, Vihara Maha Devi Park and the adjoining roads.