India helps Lanka to face new challenges

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

Deputy Indian High Commissioner Vikram Misri said, the Indian Government will give its fullest support to the Government to deal with new challenges which have emerged after overthrowing terrorism that prevailed over the country.

Misri pointed out that as a sequel to defeating terrorism in the country, Sri Lanka has been exposed to a new set of challenges, such as development and rehabilitation of those who have been displaced as a result of terrorist problems in the past.

He said, More importantly it has to face the challenge of having to address the wounds of the past; India will support Sri Lanka to overcome these challenges.

The Deputy Indian High Commissioner was speaking at a reception which was organized by the Indian High Commission at the Hotel Taj Samudra, Colombo, to award scholarship certificates to 40 Sri Lankan English language teachers. Alumni of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC)were also present .

Misri said, the scholarships have been awarded under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Program of the Government of India.

The initiative is a contribution by the Indian Government to the Presidential Project to develop "English as a Life Skill" in Sri Lanka. He said , Sri Lanka is one of the largest beneficiaries of the ITEC English language training programs for teachers.

Sri Lanka gets 40-60 scholarships whereas the other countries get only two scholarships, he said.

The 40 Teachers who have been selected from different parts of Sri Lanka will undergo training for a period of three months at the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), Hyderabad, India.