Print tri-lingual application forms, financial institutions told

National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara has requested public and private sector financial institutions and private marketing firms to print tri-lingual agreement (application) forms relating to the issuing of loans and sale of goods on easy payment terms for the convenience of their customers. He says at present these agreement forms are printed only in English, causing much inconvenience and unnecessary problems to customers.

Sometimes customers signing bonds and agreements to obtain loans or leasing facilities from rural and other banks sign bond agreements without properly understanding stipulated conditions as the forms are exclusively in English.

This is contrary to the official languages policy which legally stipulates that all communities have the right to sign bonds and other agreements in their own language.