No language-based conflict should take place in the country – President
President Maithripala Sirisena says any conflict should not take place in the country based on the languages spoken by the different communities.
The President points out in the history of the world as well as ours, we have experienced catastrophic circumstances arose among the different communities based on languages. He said that it is an unfortunate occurrences and added that the language should be the voice of the humankind and it should not create divisions among general public as well as should not leave room for unequal distribution of resources.
He made these remarks addressing the All Ceylon Tamil Language Day Awards ceremony held at the Dharmaraja College in Kandy, Sunday (23).
It is significant that the President participated in this Awards Ceremony, marking the first-ever participation of a State Leader in this Awards Ceremony.
“It is the responsibility of the government to create an environment conducive to carry out the administrative works of the public based on their preferred languages,” the President said.
It is also the responsibility of the government to provide facilities to any community to receive their education in their mother tongue, he said adding that it is also an accepted international law.
The President stressed that physical and human resources will be improved to impart Sinhala language to Tamil and Muslim students and Tamil language to Sinhala students.
The President presented awards to the winning students in the all island competitions at the event.
A special memento was presented to the President, by the Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group who conduct an expedition in the Himalayas, as a tribute to the President for providing support for them in this regard.
Ministers and MPs, including Lakshman Kiriella, Rauf Hakeem, State Minister of Education, V. Radhakrishnan, Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Sunil Hettiarachchi and many others participated in this event.
(President’s Media)
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it is not the law in most countrys. there would not be any segregation if the medium of instruction is in English as the English is the language to knowledge and as such all parents would like their children to study in English which also will be the link language among all communities
Engineer Perera this is the case in India too. English is the bridging language.
The medium of instruction should be the language used most by the community and the home of the student.
English is not the language commonly used in homes; that was so in Colombo 7 homes many decades ago.
If the medium of instruction is to be an alien language (eg: English), the best choice is Mandarin or Hindi because that is where growth and opportunities are to be found in the next coming decades.
With failed economies in the US, European countries and Australia continuing to persist well into the next many decades, let’s join the gold rush in China and India by equipping ourselves with relevant communication skills.
Even if not possible to change medium of instruction to Mandarin or Hindi, I strongly advocate introduction of those languages and second languages in Schools.
ETCA is the way to go. Need something similar with China too.
Let’s go back to English.
That stupid Mr SWRD Bandaranayaka who ruined this country and also with his idea of Sinhalese in 24 hours did never worked. This is the main cause of conflicts among Sinhalese and minorities which segregate people causing a mistrust.
Now every where there are “spoken English” classes showing the value of English.
When British ruled Sri Lanka Sinhalese or Tamil Language never died in spite of English was the official Language.
So lets keep Buddhism in the temple . Christianity in the church and Hindu in Kovil and Sinhalese, Tamil in home and move forward .