Boycotting Sinhala Avurudu by both President & PM demolishes their call for a “Rainbow” Unity day allocating Rs.300m
“When national leaders are absent from the most important cultural event of the majority, it is not just an oversight — it is a message. A message of disregard, of disconnect, and desire to diminish the very values that built this nation.” Sri Lanka has had 9 Presidents since 1978, 16 Prime Ministers since 1947 all of them were seen holding the traditional Sinhala New Year customs in their homes, attending public ceremonies. However, this year to the shock of all, neither the President nor PM held any festivities in their homes while the PM only took part in Hindu religious ceremonies on the day of the New Year which was publicized over their media channels giving little or no publicity for Sinhala avurudu customs. With this scant disregard for the majority Sinhala Buddhists, it makes a mockery of their hyped Rs.300m allocation for a “Rainbow Day” they term as inclusivity & unity? Where is the unity when an event celebrated by some 14million Sinhala Buddhists was completely disregarded?
President & PM by their own actions have delivered a slap to the Sinhala Buddhists.
Their action suggests they wish to ignore the cultural foundation of the Nation, thus neglecting the national heritage.
Their action highlights a lack of respect for the values of the people they claim to represent & shows disregard for the majority sentiment.
Their action indicates the failure to show proper recognition or respect for core traditions passed down through generations.
Their action suggests an attempt to undermine the national identity of the nation & as such is construed as a betrayal of the people.
Their action shows their lack of national leadership & intentional avoidance for political reasons, a deliberate snub bordering divisive politics.
This action must be condemned by all to ensure no such similar repetition takes place in future.
Duty of Public Officials to uphold national unity & cultural sensitivities
In a democratic society, public officials are entrusted with responsibilities that transcend personal preferences. Their actions and decisions should reflect the collective will and sentiments of the people they serve. Their personal lives, personal choices cannot take centre stage.
Constitutional Framework
Sri Lanka’s Constitution delineates the roles and responsibilities of public officials. Article 3 asserts that sovereignty resides in the people, and Article 4 outlines how this sovereignty is exercised through the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The President, as the head of the executive, is entrusted with the duty to act in the best interests of the nation. Furthermore, Article 9 grants Buddhism the “foremost place” and mandates the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana, while assuring to all religions the rights granted by Articles 10 and 14(1)(e). This provision underscores the importance of Buddhism in Sri Lanka’s cultural and national identity.
It is nothing that a President or PM chosen for a term can change or erase because they personally disagree or disapprove.
Public Duty Over Personal Preference
Public officials are not representatives of their personal beliefs; they are custodians of the public trust. Their actions should reflect the collective values and traditions of the people they serve. By abstaining from Sinhala New Year celebrations, officials may inadvertently signal a disregard for the cultural significance of this festival to the Sinhala Buddhist majority. Such actions can be perceived as neglecting the sentiments of a significant portion of the population, a portion that voted for them.
Balancing Inclusivity and National Identity
While inclusivity is a cornerstone of democratic governance, it should not come at the expense of eroding the cultural identity of the majority. Public officials must navigate the delicate balance between honoring the traditions of minority communities and upholding the cultural heritage of the majority. Participation in minority festivals should not overshadow the importance of national festivals that hold deep significance for the majority population especially when the Constitution clearly mandates them.
The Role of Leadership in Fostering Unity
Leadership entails making decisions that promote national unity and social harmony. By actively participating in national festivals, public officials can demonstrate their commitment to preserving the cultural fabric of the nation. Such actions convey respect for the traditions and values that bind the nation together, fostering a sense of belonging among all citizens. This does not entail boycotting the festival of the majority populace believing this would make the minorities happy.
Public officials, by virtue of their positions, bear the responsibility of representing the collective will and sentiments of the people. Their actions should reflect a commitment to national unity, cultural preservation, and the values enshrined in the Constitution.
How cute to see the Opposition Leader and his little doni in traditional attire
International examples: When National Identity Takes Precedence Over Personal Preference
1. United Kingdom – The Monarchy and Christian Tradition
Although UK claims it is a secular democracy, the British monarch remains the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. British leaders – regardless of their personal beliefs – attend national Christian events such as the Commonwealth Day Service* or Remembrance Sunday at Westminster Abbey. Leaders like Rishi Sunak, a practicing Hindu, have continued to attend Christian events as part of their national duties, recognizing their symbolic role in maintaining national cohesion.
2. India – Prime Ministerial Presence at Hindu Festivals
India, though says it is secular, sees its leaders participate in major Hindu celebrations such as Diwali and Navratri. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite his position over a multi-religious population, participates in these events to connect with India’s Hindu majority. This is seen not as favoritism but as national duty — given the cultural roots and identity intertwined with the majority’s traditions.
3. USA – Presidential Role in National Christian Holidays
The United States President — including Barack Obama (born Muslim), Donald Trump, and Joe Biden — have honored Christian traditions. The annual National Prayer Breakfast, Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, and Easter Egg Roll are all state-sponsored traditions. No matter the President’s denomination or private belief, attendance and leadership during such events are considered part of the role of head of state.
4. Thailand – National Unity Through Buddhist Traditions
Thailand’s monarchy and political leadership, while constitutionally limited, maintain regular public observance of Buddhist traditions. Makha Bucha and Visakha Bucha Day are state holidays with official state ceremonies, regardless of the personal beliefs of any ministers or politicians. The state and religion remain connected through cultural obligations, not dogmatic enforcement.
Lessons for Sri Lanka: Symbolism, Representation, and Public Duty
In all the examples above, regardless of personal belief, public office bearers CANNOT ignore or neglect major cultural or religious events linked to their national identity.
- This symbolic representation is honoring the national fabric and social harmony.
- For a nation like Sri Lanka, where Buddhism holds a constitutionally enshrined “foremost place” (Article 9), public officials — especially the President and Prime Minister — carry not just ceremonial responsibility but also moral and symbolic accountability to show respect to the Buddhist majority’s cultural calendar.
- Refusing to attend or acknowledge Sinhala Avurudu, while publicly participating in minority religious events, is not neutrality — it is selective neglect, which can erode trust, alienate the majority, and sow division.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=9423146587798078 – exactly a month before the Sinhala Avurudu on 14 March / Ifthar ceremony was held at TEMPLE TREES “graced” by the President
(source: social media posts circulating)
https://pmd.gov.lk/news/special-iftar-ceremony-with-the-participation-of-the-president/
Among the distinguished guests were Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi was the only Minister’s name included in the communique issued by the Presidents Media Division.
There is absolutely no issue to holding such an event, but why disregard only a Sinhala event?
Likewise, the PM participated in the Thai Pongal at the PM’s office, but no such Sinhala Avurudu was held at the PM’s office.
On 14th April the day of the Sinhala avurudu, she attended the Hindu religious ceremony at Vishnu kovil & thereafter to the residence of Attorney-at-Law Mr. Saman Leelarathna.
Neither the President or PM lit the hearth as is customary in their homes, or attended any public ceremonies while the President announced that Avurudu would not be telecast though the Ifthar was telecast in all news channels.
Another slap to the Avurudu was the ignoring of the National oil ointment ceremony usually held in Kandy for which neither the President nor PM attended. Historically the Maha Sangha applied oil on the head of the King/Head of State.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has consistently advocated for national unity, emphasizing the importance of transcending ethnic and religious divisions.
In his Christmas message, he highlighted the need for unity, peace, and humanity, encouraging all Sri Lankans to follow the example of Jesus Christ by working together to build a fair and prosperous nation.
Additionally, during the ceremonial, he pledged to eliminate racism and religious extremism, acknowledging past divisions and their devastating impact.
However, the decision by both President Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya to abstain from participating in the Sinhala and Tamil New Year (Avurudu) celebrations raises questions about the consistency of their commitment to fostering unity among all Sri Lankans.
Implications and Public Perception
The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is a time for national celebration and cultural expression, particularly for the Sinhala Buddhist community. The decision by the President and Prime Minister to abstain from these celebrations, while simultaneously advocating for unity and equal treatment of all religions, may be perceived as inconsistent. It could lead to feelings of alienation among the majority community, who may interpret this as a disregard for their cultural identity and traditions.
Public office bearers are not private citizens when they act in their official capacity. They are expected to reflect the values, sentiments, and traditions of the people they represent. Participation in national cultural events like Avurudu is not about personal belief, but about leadership, representation, and respect. By their absence, the President and Prime Minister effectively signaled a disconnect with a key component of the nation’s heritage.
While President Dissanayake’s calls for unity and equal treatment of all religions are commendable, the decision to abstain from the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations appears contradictory. To foster true national unity, it is essential for leaders to actively engage in and honor the cultural traditions of all communities, thereby setting a precedent for inclusivity and mutual respect.
Conclusion with International Perspective
If world leaders can rise above personal identity to honor national tradition, Sri Lankan leaders — bound constitutionally and culturally — have no moral ground to neglect Sinhala Buddhist traditions in favor of minority-only observance when that is not what either majority or minorities expect from their leaders. Leaders should not by their actions divide the people because people are very happy to enjoy each others celebrations while maintaining their own identity.
While those in leadership roles parrot the need for this reconciliation & that reconciliation do they even send a plate of sweatmeats to their neighbors? These are customs that most of us happily do. The Sinhalese exchange plates of their sweetmeats, the Tamils & Muslims do same. Sharing & partaking of foods is the best way to bring harmony. How many of the human rights & other activists who promote concepts on paper actually do such sharing in their own neighborhoods?
We do not need any new “Rainbow” days. All that is needed for leaders to stop trying to kill the cultures that exist & bring in new foreign ones that are alien to the country’s culture.
The essence of public duty is representation of the people, and in a Buddhist-majority nation, this includes showing due respect to its sacred traditions — not just in private, but in public, as leaders of all citizens.
The manner even the media has intentionally dropped usage of “Sinhala” in reference to Avurudu has also been noticed & showcases a bigger plan & agenda in place.
When the cultural identity of the majority is erased, the spine of a nation is broken. The cultural erasure of the majority is not inclusivity — it is slow-motion civilizational suicide. A people stripped of their cultural pride become strangers in their own land. No democracy can survive if it weaponizes equality to suppress the heritage of the majority. Neglecting the majority is not neutrality — it is betrayal wearing the mask of progress. When leaders celebrate every culture but ignore their own, they send a message: the majority must be ashamed of who they are. The first sign of a crumbling state is the silent burial of its majority’s culture in the name of modernity. Peace cannot be built on the humiliation of the people who built the nation.
Shenali D Waduge
