Language learning can build co-existence – Ruwan

8 May 2015 05:22 pm

The language problem in Sri Lanka was one of the main reasons for the 30-year war, and Sinhalese and Tamils should learn each other’s language to build co-existence between the two races, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene said today.

The minister expressed these views at the Security Forces Headquarters in Jaffna while presenting certificates to 320 members of the armed forces who had completed a Tamil language course.

He said the security forces and Sinhala society would be able to win over the Tamil people through language.

Mr. Wijewardene noted there was a need to further study Tamil language and use new technology and procedures in teaching Tamil. He added that there was a need to enhance the teaching of languages in order to achieve peace and co-existence.

The ignorance of the Sinhala and Tamil languages by the people in the North and South had created a distance between the two races, and had served as an advantage to extremists among both races, he said.

The government also wanted to further develop the skills of the security forces while ensuring the protection of the country. He said the government wanted to solve the economic and the social problems the country is faced with.

Public Administration Minster Karu Jayasuriya, Chairman of the Institute of National Language Studies and Training Palitha Hewamudali, Jaffna Security Forces Commander Maj. Gen. Nanda Udawatta, Mullaitivu Security Forces Commander Maj. Gen. Jagath Dias  and several  security forces officers also  participated at the event.