Public servants to be trilingual

The Ministry of National Languages and Social Integration has taken steps to initiate a new program to teach Sinhala, Tamil and English to 1.2 million public servants, Newly appointed Minister of National Languages and Social Integration S.B. Nawinna said.

While addressing invitees and staff after assuming duties, he pointed out that measures will be taken to set up language training centers in each province with the assistance of Provincial Councils and this program would benefit public servants to get their salary increments and promotions in the future.

“Languages are linked with people’s life. The improvement of linguistic skills comes directly under the Ministry. We would do the utmost to run the Ministry efficiently in keeping with the extended policy of the Mahinda Chinthana” he said.

He said language is an important entity of our life and culture. People’s lifestyles, freedom and careers could depend upon it. In Sri Lanka, the public faces various problems when they go to the local authorities and Government offices since these authorities communicate in Sinhala and English mostly. If this problem is not resolved soon, it will be a long wait and frustration for the Tamil speaking people, he added.

“This problem arises again when Sinhala speaking people go to local authorities and Government officers in the North and the East. That is why we decided to resolve this matter,” he said.

Learning three languages is a socio-economic need while building bridges of friendship among three communities, the Minister added.

^{Govt. Info. Dept}