The International Song Of Sri Lanka

In continuation of the birth, death & rebirth of the ORIGINAL SRI LANKAN NATIONAL “ANTHEM” which is now sung under the “title” SRI LANKA MAATHA”, or simply “Sri Lanka Mother”, as the Sinhalese word implies, the latest is my personalized version of what I term “The International Song of Sri Lanka” which includes “English Lyrics”(not a translation), of the chorus of “Namo Namo Maatha”, simply stating that :-

WE SALUTE OUR LAND FROM NEAR AND FAR
IT’S OUR MOTHERLAND, OUR COUNTRY, SRI LANKA
HER FLAG, WE FLY, WITH HEADS HELD HIGH
FOR SRI LANKA

NOTHING CAN EVER TAKE AWAY
ALL THE PRIDE AND ALL THE GLORY
THAT IS SRI LANKA
IN FAIR OR STORMY WEATHER
ALL SRI LANKANS STAND TOGETHER
SINGING PRAISES OF OUR BRIGHT SHINING STAR
IT’S OUR MOTHERLAND, OUR COUNTRY SRI LANKA
HER FLAG WE FLY, WITH HEADS HELD HIGH
FOR SRI LANKA

NAMO NAMO MAATHA, APA SRI ——–LANKA
NAMO NAMO NAMO NAMO MAATHA.

Note. Above lyrics were written by “yours truly” to the music (chorus) written by Ananda Samarakoon & is featured on my special “You-Tube” style DVD, produced in London as only Jude Goonewardane can, which is “superbly”. Many Lankans already have it, & EVERY LANKAN AROUND THE WORLD SHOULD HAVE A COPY OF THIS SONG SIMPLY BECAUSE SRI LANKA IS AN INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY, WE SHOULD ALL BE PROUD OF HER, EVERY “DONATED” CENT IS GOING RIGHT BACK TO THE UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN THERE & both ANANDA SAMARAKOON who wrote the original song & myself who wrote the International version are very proud Sri Lankans.

I wrote the International Song Of Sri Lanka, mainly as a tribute to Ananda Samarakoon ( R.I.P.), who had his “Original title” STOLEN by the Government of that particular era, purely because of superstition, and replaced with the present title of the Anthem.. Ananda Samarakoon suicided over this matter, shortly thereafter.There is nothing wrong with the present title, but in my own opinion, the Anthem is far too long, I would be correct when I say that 90% of Sri Lankans WILL NOT be able to sing it word for correct word & the “fidgeting” is obvious when sporting teams stand together for the rendition of the song. Half the game could be completed in the time it takes to sing the Sri Lankan Anthem in it’s entirety. “GOD SAVE THE QUEEN is what I term “an Anthem”. Sung briefly and meaningfully. The Australian Anthem is also too long drawn-out & if one had to ADD The Aboriginal Anthem too, “the cows would be coming home” before the game even commenced. We could, in fact “girth” Australia with the two Anthems strung together. Most Australians don’t know the meaning of “girth” although, according to statistics, the girth of most Aussies is bordering on “obese”. I rest my case! .

Desmond Kelly (girthy star of eLanka).