Cabinet approved to launch a yearly national integration and reconciliation week yesterday to strengthen peace, harmony and fraternity among the people.

The government information department said that the week will be declared from Jan 8 to 14, each year from 2017.

The proposal was made by President Maithripala Sirisena and approved by the cabinet of ministers.

Various programmes in all schools, media, public and private institutions demonstrating the importance of national integration will also be implemented.