The proposal made by President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of National Integration and Reconciliation, to declare the week from 08 to 14 January every year, starting from 2017, as the national integration and reconciliation week, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on 21 December 2016. Under the proposal a number of events will be held island wide to promote unity, peace, understanding and mutual trust amongst all communities in Sri Lanka.
 
 
Sri Lanka Missions abroad also commenced the week, by having events to mark the National Integration and Reconciliation week, including the reading of the Pledge for National Integration and Reconciliation.