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The main reason for the ethnic conflict prevailed for over 5 decades in the country, is the inability to use the correct language in exchanging ideas between the major communities living in our country. The present government which has clearly understood this situation is making efforts to find a solution for resolving the ethnic conflict and has given priority to teach another main language in addition to the mother tongue of a person to prevent misunderstanding among these communities, said Imthiaz Bakeer Markar, Minister of Mass Communication.

He was addressing a seminar on bilingualism organized in Beruwala Divisional Secretariat area by the Official Languages Commission recently.

The Divisional Secretary's area of Beruwala has been selected from Kalutara District to provide a better knowledge in Tamil in addition to Sinhala as the official language for the government employees to carry out duties. The official Languages Commission has selected 89 Divisional Secretariat areas. Accordingly, it was decided to hold the bilingual seminar here, at the Divisional Secretariat of Beruwala and this is the first regional seminar of the programme.

The Minister said: "The aim of this seminar is to emphasize importance of using Tamil Language as far as possible in the areas where a majority of Muslims and Tamils are living in addition to Sinhala, as the official language. It is absolutely important to hold this seminar in an area such as Beruwala where all communities are living."

He also said the lack of language proficiency has created a communication barrier. It is a hindrance to solve the problems of the country. The ethnic conflict which prevailed for over 50 years has gradually aggravated. The language problem as a result of the government authorities in the South and the people of the South could communicate with the people of the North and the East. This bilingual programme can be recognized as a successful step to resolve the ethnic problem in a just manner. Minister Bakeer Markar said: "The government will introduce this programme to school children too. Tamil will be taught for Sinhala students and Sinhala language to the Tamil and Muslim students from primary classes. If a similar, programmes were implemented several years ago we should not be facing the problems we have today.

Under this programme, steps have been taken to conduct practical programmes for the enhancement of ability of government officers in Beruwala Divisional Secretariat area acquire proficiency in both languages in the near future. Under this programme, birth certificates and all such documents will be made available to the public in language of their choice.

Dew Gunasekera, Chairman of the Public Language Commission and Mrs. Padma D. Jayaweera, Commissioner of Public Language Commission also addressed the meeting. Bernard Wasantha, Divisional Secretary of Beruwala and a large number of government officials representing various public institutions in the area were also present.

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