A Sinhala and Tamil language training program for Members of Parliament officially commenced on Nov. 18 at the Parliament premises, under the patronage of Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.
Organized by the Members’ Service Office of Parliament with support from the Department of Official Languages, the initiative aims to strengthen communication skills among lawmakers and promote greater understanding between communities.
Speaking at the launch, Speaker Wickramaratne highlighted the importance of language in addressing ethnic and religious tensions. “Many conflicts arise when people are unable to communicate properly in a particular language,” he said, adding that MPs must lead by example in fostering inclusivity and respect among all Sri Lankans.
Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara also addressed the gathering, stating that language is more than a means of communication, it is a form of respect. He said that no citizen should be treated differently based on the language they speak and noted that Parliament’s commitment to trilingualism supports the national language policy.
According to officials, 21 MPs have enrolled in the Sinhala language course, while 63 have signed up for the Tamil course.
The event was attended by Deputy Chairperson of the Committee Hemali Weerasekara, Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne, Commissioner General of Official Languages Nandana Hettiarachchi, and other parliamentary and departmental officials. (Newswire)