In the wake of the controversy over the incident of singer Umara Sinhawansa mispronouncing a section of the national anthem while performing it during the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 opening ceremony, the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs stated that legal action should be initiated over the same, The Daily Morning learns.
The LPL 2023 opening ceremony kicked off on 30 July at 5:30 p.m. at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, and Sinhawansa performed the national anthem. The relevant video footage shows Sinhawansa singing the section 'Namo Namo Matha' as 'Namo Namo Mahatha', and the same has sparked controversy on social media platforms.
Speaking to The Daily Morning about the incident yesterday (31), Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Vidura Wickramanayaka claimed that the distortion of the national anthem would tarnish the country's identity, and that no one should be allowed to do so. "This is not something that directly comes under our Ministry. It is the Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils (PCs) and Local Government (LG) Ministry that can directly act on this matter. However, I believe that we will definitely have to get into some legal action in this regard."
Emphasising that the national anthem has been sung in the same style for decades, he said that no one has the right to distort its lyrics, melody, or music. "Since our childhood, we have sung the national anthem in the same style. Nobody can turn it into a remix or rap song. We should not allow this sort of activity. If necessary actions are not taken over these matters, the people may even tend to dance to the national anthem."
The Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, PCs and LG says that its attention had been directed towards an incident of the national anthem allegedly being distorted and sung during the opening ceremony of the 2023 LPL. Issuing a statement, the Ministry Secretary Ranjith Asoka said that the distortion of the national anthem at an individual’s whim is an unconstitutional act. Furthermore, the statement added that it is regrettable that a distorted version of the national anthem was sung during a ceremony which draws international attention.
"Sri Lanka Matha" is the national anthem of Sri Lanka. It was composed by the late Ananda Samarakoon, and was first performed at an official ceremony on 4 February 1949, at the Independence Square in Colombo during the first national day ceremony. The national anthem was given full constitutional recognition in the 1978 Constitution.