Sri Lanka is not a secular country. Though it is not a theocracy, the constitution itself says the state must "protect and foster" the Buddha Sasana and give to Buddhism the "foremost place". The pirith ceremony at Independence Square is in congruence with that.

In most of the countries in the world the state gives prominence to one faith. Look at the middle east, Europe, South East Asia. And that is a pragmatic manifestation of demographics. There is nothing wrong with this insofar it doesn't inhibit religious freedom.

Of course one can argue and be critical of this but this is the way things are now. One must not forget that.