'Translating National Anthem to different languages unnecessary exercise'

Asela Kuruluwansa

The National Anthem and the National Flag are two items which portrayed a country's identity and all communities living in this country should honour and respect them as Sri Lankans, Bishop St Francis of the Anglican Church said.

Addressing a press conference held in Kandy the Bishop said translation of the national anthem to different languages or adding words to it or altering it was an unnecessary exercise. He said India, for instance which had many languages and dialects had its national anthem in one language, Hindi and people of all communities and religions in India honoured and respected it without reservation.

Therefore any alteration of the Sri Lankan national anthem would create unnecessary problems in the country, he said.