Sri Lanka to declare national integration week

Sri Lanka will declare the period between January 8 and 14 in 2017 as the week of national reconciliation to coincide with the second anniversary of President Maitripala Sirisena in office, an official said on Friday.

The Ministry of National Integration and Reconciliation, which is under the purview of President Sirisena, made the above decision to promote national unity, Ministry Secretary V.Sivagnanasothy told Xinhua.

The initiative was to promote unity, peace, affection and brotherhood among communities of different ethnic, religious, cultural and regional diversities, he said.

This is a "nation building" effort that lays foundation for a united, strong, reconciled and prosperous nation which recognizes "unity in diversities", he said in a statement.

Activities during the week will include speech by students on national integration in the school assembly in all schools and in the classrooms, among others. Endit