• Should follow the example set by India   
• Ceremony carries a serious health risk   

By Yohan Perera   

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday urged the government to make the 2022 Independence Day celebration a simple one without a military parade.   

UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara who made this suggestion said the Independence Day ceremony will cost the country a fair amount if the armoured cars and other military vehicles and aircraft are displayed. “It is not correct to waste funds at a time when the country does not have enough to purchase fuel,” he said,   
“Also the ceremony carries a serious health risk. If one person with COVID-19 attends the ceremony, there is a risk of a large number including the members in the military and the police getting infected. Sri Lankan government should follow the example of India which had a simple ceremony where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation without getting exposed to people,” he said.   

Meanwhile, Mr. Range Bandara said his party is currently having a dialogue with 16 political parties and other organisations to prepare a national plan for the nation. “These discussions are being carried out by the centre of policies which has been set up by the party,” he said. 

• It is not correct to waste funds at a time when the country does not have enough to purchase fuel