The UNP minister, Sajith Premadasa called for anyone who does not accept the Sri Lankan flag to be denied citizenship.
Highlighting the Northern Province Minister of Education's refusal to hoist the flag at a public event in Vavuniya earlier this month, Mr Premadasa told an audience in Hambantota said, "those unwilling of the country’s national anthem and flag should be denied citizenship."
"If an individual makes such statements then he or she does not have the right to be a citizen of this country," he was quoted by News Radio as saying.
His comments were echoed by the former Minister External Affairs, G L Peiris who called on the president to take action.