Jan 24, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government is considering combining Sinhala and Tamil verses in the national anthem.

The National Languages and Social Integration Ministry has proposed that verses in Sinhala and Tamil be combined in the national anthem when sung at state functions.

National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara has said the proposal has been made to President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He has explained that the Ministry's parliamentary advisory committee had made the proposal aimed at integrating the different communities in the country.

According to Nanayakkara, the national anthem with Sinhala and Tamil verses would be sung at the 65th Independence Day celebration on February 4th if the President approves the proposal.