SLICELT enables equal access- Rao

Sigiriya Group Corr.

Sri Lanka-India Centre for English Language Training (SLICELT) enables every child in Sri Lanka to learn English and access equal opportunities, Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said.

She was speaking at the inauguration of the SLICELT at the National College of Education in Peradeniya yesterday.

This promotes English language learning to bring about a better life, Rao said.

English as a life skill, which reacts in fostering our relationship in every angle.

“English is a valuable tool to enrich our knowledge and carrying out our multi-transactional activities this would be a model for development, learning and sharing knowledge from one another and developing the spirit of give and take”, she said.

Senior Presidential Advisor and SLICELT program Co-ordinator Sunimal Fernando said President Mahinda Rajapaksa has recognised the importance of teaching English as a life skill to communicate with the outside world to strengthen development. Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga said it was the President Rajapaksa’s concept to make English accessible as a life skill to every nook and corner of the country on the basis of equality. He said Sri Lanka has to use modern technology to keep abreast with the rest of the world.

Weeratunga said English Teaching Centre for Graduate to acquire proficiency in English would be set up.

He thanked the Indian Government for the unestimatable wealth present given to Sri Lanka. Education Minister Susil Premajayanth and Public Administration Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Presidential Task Force and IT Chairman also spoke.