Sandika Madushan

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

NATIONAL ANTHEM
The Editor "Ceylon Daily News."

Sir, -Will you allow us the courtesy of your columns to make a few observations on the matter of choosing a suitable National Anthem for Ceylon. There are two main requisites for a National Anthem. First, a stirring yet simple melody capable of being
sung by all classes of people. Secondly, words with such a patriotic flavor that young and old of all races and communities will, when singing them, be united in a common love for Ceylon and a desire to serve her. In view of the three main languages spoken in Ceylon, it may be necessary to have versions of the words in Sinhalese, Tamil and English which could be sung to one common tune.

It must be borne in mind that our National Anthem will, on certain occasions, such as the arrival of the Governor-General or the Opening of Parliament be played by a brass band or string orchestra. At school prizegivings it will be sung by boys and girls in different parts of the island. The general public should be able to sing it lustily at the commencement or conclusion of concerts and plays.

This being so, the choice of a National Anthem for Ceylon becomes a matter of national concern. We understand that, in India, the Government is appointing a Committee of experts to select the Indian National Anthem.

There is a report in the press that a private individual has very enterprisingly offered a prize of Rs. 1,000 for the best composition of an anthem for Lanka.

May we make the following suggestions:- (1) That the new Parliament appoint a committee of experts consisting of musicians and scholars to select a suitable anthem, (2) That the competition be widely publicised in the English, Sinhalese and Tamil newspapers, (3) That competitors be invited to record their compositions at the Colombo Broadcasting Station. We are sure the Broadcasting authorities will readily co-operate in this matter. (4)
That all or a selected proportion of the entries (with numbers and no names of composers mentioned) be played over the Radio during good listening hours. (5) That the general public be invited to listen in and vote for the best anthem. (6) That the Committee of judges select the most suitable one, in their opinion, for the National Anthem, taking into consideration the votes cast by popular acclaim.

In this way the anthem selected will have the virtue of being tested both by expert opinion and popular taste.
-Yours etc.

IRENE R. VANDERWALL
T. V. SARAVANAMUTTU
SUNIL SANTHI
SURYA SENA

Colombo, Oct. 17.

21.10.1947 D.N.