Gammanpila has told BBC that he was not opposed to a Tamil version of the national anthem, but that that shouldn’t be given official status.

It’s a right – Rajitha

However, cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said the president has not introduced a new law pertaining to the national anthem.

He said it was a right already enshrined in the constitution that the national anthem could be sung in Tamil too.

No legal implication

President’s counsel Jayampathy Wickremaratne said there was no legal hurdle against a Tamil version of the national anthem.

He said the national anthem has been sung in Tamil since 1951, adding that an unnecessary problem had arisen when it was banned through a circular issued during the previous regime.

It will not be an issue if most Tamil and Muslim schools to continue singing the national anthem in Tamil, which they had been doing for the past 60 years or more.

He said it was better to sing the national anthem in a language understand by the singer, who will also feel pride about the country when doing so.