Flag bearers waive respect for the flag
The national flag which is being widely used in protests is being misused by some. Protest participants have been seen wearing the flag as a cap, a shawl and a cape. Others drape it on vehicles.
Some groups at the protest area at Galle Face in Colombo have been seen using flags as blankets.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has published a code on the use of the national flag for display, processions, and for hoisting.
A senior official at the ministry said that wearing the flag as a cape and using it as a bandana are disrespectful.
According to guidelines the national flag should be displayed in processions aloft and free, the flag should never be carried flat or horizontally. When carried in procession with other flags, the code say it should be on the marching right. If there is another line of other flags, the national flag should be in the front of the center line.
The national flag should not be dipped to any person or object, even though regimental flags and school flags are dipped as a mark of honour, the national flag will not be dipped.
Even during ceremonial hoisting there are guidelines to be followed: the flag should be attached to the halyard before hoisting and the flag should be folded and either placed on a high object, or held by hand, the code says.
The ministry should be hoisted only from the pocket and not from the fly. Even the chief guest should smartly hoist the flag and refrain from smoking, drinking and eating.
The code also explains how the national flag is misused, such as wearing appeal, bedding or draping. Also, the flag should never be used as a covering for the ceiling.
The Secretary to the Ministry o f Home Aff a i r s, N. H. M Chithrananda said a circular explaining the code has been issued.
He said that during international and local events such as cricket matches, carnivals as well as protests, the national flag is used in an inappropriate manner.
“We have issued guidelines telling people how to display the national flag with dignity. Even though we repeatedly remind people that we should respect our flag they do not do so. If we do not respect our country's flag, who else will,” he said.
He added that he too has observed people wearing the national flag as a cape, wrapped around their bodies and displayed on car bonnets.
Mr Chithrananda said some people even keep the flag on the floor, leaving it hanging on seats.
There is no penalty for violating the guidelines as it is people’s responsibility to respect the country, he said.
Politicians, too, have expressed concerns over the misuse of the flag. They point out that even though it is used as a symbol of unity, the flag should be respected.
The Leader of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party, Thissa Vitharana told the Sunday Times that the use of the national flag gives the message that people are united in protest and it expresses their displeasure regarding the increasing cost of living, fuel shortages and power interruptions.
“Even though the flag is used as a symbol of unity, people must
respect it. Using the flag as a cape is unacceptable.’’
The leader of the Pivithuru H e l a U rumaya , U d aya Gammanpila said the flag is the symbol of pride of the nation and it deserves to be respected.
Those who are waving the national flag should do so respectfully. He said people should follow the guidelines.
Scholars say awareness should be raised. Action should be taken against those deliberately disrespecting it.
Sandagomi Coperahewa, head of the Sinhala department at the University of Colombo, explained that national symbols such as the national anthem and flag are used
at national events as well as significant occasions.The flag needs to be treated with respect.
Groups of people use the flag as a symbol of nationality and a symbol of solidarity.
“The use of the national flag in gatherings is fine, but the flag needs to be used appropriately, they should follow the guidelines issued by the Home Affairs Ministry. The flag should not be used as a kind of cloth and should be handled in a dignified way. The public must be educated about the guidelines and given awareness of the significance of the national flag and ways of using it in a way that secures the dignity of the nation,’’ Coperahewa said.