Certification for the three languages

A bilingual and trilingual certification system similar to the one by Sri Lanka Standards (SLS) will be introduced to the public and private sector organisations to give recognition to all three languages and promote ethnic harmony, the National Languages and Social Integration Ministry said today.

Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara said a bilingual and trilingual certificate issued by the ministry will give further recognition to organisations and the demand for their services would increase by introducing such a system.

“Introducing a certification of this nature will also ensure that people have the right and the freedom of access to any type of service whether they speak Sinhala, Tamil or English at any public or private institution,” the minister said.

He said applications will be made available to organisations.

“If a request is made for certification, the ministry will carry out a thorough investigation on language use and exposure within the organisation and will provide certification based on their eligibility,” he said.

If organisations receive bilingual or trilingual certification, they will promote it through advertisement and board signs to inform the public, he said and added that the ministry is currently encouraging the bilingual and trilingual usage island wide through school curriculum for children which would be compulsory, for government workers according to which they would be permitted promotions and salary increments as well as for private sector institutions.

He said the ministry was also conducting bilingual and trilingual education programmes for villages. “Additionally if any private or public organisation requests for assistance we will provide teachers and any facilities to promote this programme," he said. (Olindhi Jayasundere)