Independence day celebrations next year:

Talks focus on organizational activities in Anuradhapura

An initial round of talks regarding organizational activities of the 64th Independence Day celebrations 2012 in Anuradhapura was held at the Prime Minister's Office under the patronage of Prime Minister D M Jayaratne last week.

This was held on the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The talks also centred round development activities including security, transport, health and sanitation sectors to be undertaken to coincide with independence day celebrations.

Prime Minister Jayaratne said that since next year's celebrations are held in the North Central Province, steps should be taken to ensure the greater participation of people from the North and East especially schoolchildren. He also instructed officials to plan cultural items to represent all communities according to their identities.

The Premier said the last independence day celebrations in Anuradhapura was held in 1980.

"Since next year's celebrations are held in Anuradhapura after three decades, it is the duty and responsibility of officials to organize it on a grand scale," he said.

Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister W D J Seneviratne, Deputy Minister Wijaya Dahanayake, Ministry Secretary P B Abeykoon, Secretary to the Prime Minister S Amarasekara, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Somatillake Dissanayake, IGP N K Ilangakoon, and Director General Civil Security Department Rear Admiral Ananda Pieris also participated.