Language training for Eastern Province Government officials

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing Sinhala and Tamil language training to elected government officials and staff from 11 local government authorities in Eastern Province.

Improved language skills will help them provide better services to the multi-ethnic communities they serve.

USAID, the development agency of the U.S. Government, is funding a three-year initiative to promote good governance and human security in the East entitled Supporting Regional Governance (SuRG).

The goal is to build participatory and transparent local government and to improve responsiveness to local community needs.

Twenty-one trainers from the three Eastern province districts completed a Training of Trainers (ToT) program conducted by the Official Language Department (OLD).

The five-day program introduced participants to modern language training techniques, the Official Languages Policy, and the connection between language and culture.

These trainers will now provide Sinhala and Tamil language training to 149 elected government officials and staff at 11 local authority partners in the Eastern Province.

USAID Mission Director Rebecca Cohn said, "USAID is pleased to support an improved capacity of officials in the Eastern Province to engage constructively and to communicate with the members of the communities they serve. When Sinhalese officials learn Tamil or Tamil officials learn Sinhala, it sends an important message and demonstrates their commitment to serving all ethnic groups.

USAID hopes that the benefits of this training go beyond just learning new language teaching techniques."

Six trainers will conduct Tamil language training in early September for local government officials and staff from Thambalagamuwa Pradeshiya Sabha (PS), Seruvila PS and the Ampara Urban Council.

Another 15 trainers will conduct Sinhala language training in Thambalagamuwa PS, Muthur PS, Verugal PS, Alaiyadivembu PS, Ninthavur PS, Manmununai West PS, Manmunai South-West PS, Eravur Town PS and Porativupattu PS. Local officials and staff will complete the Official Language Department course in early 2010, after 108 hours of instruction.