Tamil language teachers urged to join Trilingual SL Project

Disna MUDALIGE

Talented and skilled Tamil second language teachers scattered over the island are invited to join in the Special Presidential Initiative for a Trilingual Sri Lanka, Presidential Adviser and Vice Chairman of Presidential Task Force for a Trilingual Sri Lanka

Sunimal Fernando said.

He said the President's vision is to create a trilingual society in Sri Lanka within the next 10 years, and Sinhala and

Tamil language training is expedited to achieve this target. The Presidential Task Force is keen to work together with language teachers in the village as they closely associate with the grass roots level people, Fernando said.

He was speaking at the launch of two Tamil workbooks for Sinhala students authored by Anomali Karunasena, at the BMICH yesterday.

The author is an English and Tamil teacher at Janadhipathi Vidyalaya, Matara. She had initially been appointed to a Tamil

Medium school in Matara to teach English, and persevered to learn Tamil due to communication difficulties she faced.

Presently, she teaches both English and Tamil to students. Being a Sinhalese both Tamil and English serve as second languages to her.

The Presidential Task Force encountered her during a meeting with language teachers in Matara.

Sunimal Fernando said through this kind of interactions they could get a clear understanding of the gaps and loopholes of language teaching and learning.

Additional Secretary to the President Emelda Sukumar, Kelaniya University Language Department Head Dr Yogarajah, Presidential Task Force for a Trilingual Sri Lanka Director General G A J Sylvester and Cabinet Office Additional Secretary K P Jayampathi also participated.