E/CN.4/1995/91/Add.1 page 97 SRI LANKA 47. The following information of a general nature was transmitted to the Special Rapporteur on 20 November 1994: "Sri Lanka is a multiracial and multireligious nation. According to the census of 1992, the total population of the island was 17.6 million. The composition of the population according to religion is as follows: Buddhists 69.3% Hindus 15.5% Christians 7.6% Muslims 7.5% Others 0.1% Throughout many centuries these people have lived together in peace and harmony. Buddhist temples, Hindu kovils, Muslim mosques, and Christian churches exist side by side in Sri Lanka and members of one community not only pay their respect to the others, but most often invoke the blessings of other faiths. Thus many Buddhist shrines have sections devoted to Hindu gods and statues of Lord Buddha are found in Hindu shrines. Days of significance to Buddhists, Hindus, Christians and followers of Islam have all been declared public holidays. (Thus all full-moon poya days, Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Deepavali, Maha Sivarathri, Thai Pongal, Hadj, Ramazan, the Prophet Mohamed’s Birthday, Christmas, Good Friday and Easter are holidays in Sri Lanka.) In fact, even in the prisons in Sri Lanka provision has been made from the early 1930s for practice of all the major religions. Religious studies form part of the school curriculum from grades 1 to 10 and all students have the opportunity of learning their religion in school. The State print and electronic media give equal emphasis to all religions and celebrate festivals of all the religions with appropriate news coverage and programmes. Constitutional provisions The Government of Sri Lanka is firmly committed to promoting and fostering all religions. The directive principles of State policy which guide Parliament, the President and the Cabinet of Ministries in the enactment of laws and governance of Sri Lanka provide that the State shall strengthen national unity by promoting cooperation and mutual confidence among all sections of the people, including racial, religious, linguistic and other groups,