Tamil Language Day to promote unity, peace and ethnic harmony

The All-Island Tamil Language Day and Prize-Giving will be held today at the New Kathiresan Hall, Colombo 4, commencing at 2.00 p.m.

This function is being organized by S. Sivaniththananda, Director of the Tamil unit of the Ministry of Education and all other staff attached to the Ministry.

Susil Premajayanth, Minister of Education will be the Chief Guest, while the Additional Secretary S. Thillainadarajah and several other senior officers attached to the Ministry of Education, Department of Education, principals and teachers of several schools in Colombo and outstations will grace this occasion.

At this function, two souvenirs, namely 'Koormathy' and 'Chelinthamil' of the Tamil unit of the Ministry of Education will be released by Minister Susil Premajayanth.

The Tamil language which has a long history, is a language nourished and enriched by the literary works of great poets like Maha Kavi Subramaniya Bharathy, Kamban and Kalidas. Even in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) great Tamil scholars and patriots like Sri La Sri Arumuga Navalar, Swamy Vipulananda, Satha Avathari Kathiravet Pillai, Navanitha Krishna Bharathy, Tamil Mani Kanapathippillai, Tamil Professors like Prof. Vidyananthan, Prof. Sivathamby, Prof. Pathmavathan, Prof. Sandrasekaran, Prof. Shanmugathasan and great Tamil scholar like P. Sangarappillai who was the President of Colombo Tamil Sangam, have rendered immense service to the development, promotion and propagation of the Tamil language, Tamil Literature, Hindu religion and Hindu culture.

Besides, the great epics like Ramayanam, Maha Bharatha, and Silapadikaram are of timeless and spaceless in quality.

Tamil Language Day and Prize-Giving organized by the Tamil unit of the Ministry of Education will undoubtedly create better understanding, peace and unity among all ethnic groups. This is the only celebration in which students from all communities participate in the competitions held at provincial, zonal and district levels.

Besides, trophies and certificates will be awarded to the winners in the competition. Even participants will be presented with certificates as a mark of encouragements.

Though this National Tamil Language and Prize-Giving was conducted for more than ten years by the Tamil unit of the Ministry of Education it was N. Nadarajah, former Director of Education (Tamil Unit) took all possible steps with the co-operation and assistance of Provincial Directors, District Directors, Zonal Directors, Principal and Teachers of the colleges and all other high officers of the Ministry of Education for the tremendous success of this Tamil Language Day.

Mr. Nadarajah was the President of the College of Education in the Eastern Province for nearly eight years and did great service for the improvement and betterment of this College.

His service was greatly appreciated and recognized by the present Minister of Education Susil Premajayanth for the enthusiasm and interest he showed towards the betterment of the students progress in the education.

- Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar.