President Ranil Wickremesinghe has advised the relevant officials that it is their responsibility, as well as that of the political authority, to pay attention to the current financial situation of the country while estimating the expenses required for the 75th Independence Day celebration and in spending in a practical manner and reducing expenses, a President’s Media Division (PMD) press release announced yesterday (26).
While pointing out that there is huge opposition among the people regarding the allocation of funds for the 75th Independence Day celebration, the President emphasised that efforts should be made to minimise the related expenses, the release stated.
He made these remarks at a preliminary discussion held yesterday morning (26) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of the President regarding the Independence Day celebration being held in a grand manner but at minimum cost.
Expressing his views further, President Ranil Wickremesinghe had said: “We must celebrate the 75th Independence Day, otherwise the world will say that we are not capable of even celebrating our independence. Similarly, we need to attract tourists and investors to our country. We need to build a positive image of our country. Therefore, let us minimise our expenditure and celebrate our Independence Day.”
Accordingly, in conjunction with the 75th Independence Day celebration, many special programmes are scheduled to be implemented from 2 to 19 February. The special Dalada Pooja and Pirith chanting, religious ceremonies of all faiths, cultural show held at the Independence Square, the traditional Independence celebration main event held at Galle Face Green, the national parks and the zoo will be open to the public free of charge, the opening of the Jaffna Cultural Centre, the Kandy Republic parade, the cycle race from Dondra Point to Point Pedro, and other events, have also been planned.
The President saud: “It has been planned to initiate a project to create urban forests in conjunction with the Independence Day celebrations. We expect to start the activities prior to attending the Climate Summit (COP28) in Dubai. In addition, we also expect to initiate several new institutions.
“By the time the relevant laws would be passed and work could commence, it could be around August. Further, we have planned to establish the University on Climate Change, which will bring long-term benefits to the country.
“However, the Treasury does not have enough funds to bear the full cost of these activities. Therefore, we will have to focus on other activities only after allocating funds for the main activities.”
Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President on National Security Sagala Ratnayake, Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake, Secretaries to the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Defence, Foreign Affairs, Education, Cultural and Buddhist Affairs, Media, and Finance, and the officials of the Treasury and the line Ministries participated at this discussion.