'Inappropriate use affects language'

Priyanka KURUGALA

Certain announcers of new FM radio channels use the Sinhala language in an inappropriate way. This destroys the language, National Heritage Minister Jagath Balasooriya said.

A major responsibility lies with the National Heritage Ministry to put an end to such practices, he said. He was addressing the seminar Discussion on the protection of language heritage, at the Foundation Institute.

Many programmes were implemented under the Hela Hawla in the 50s under the patronage of Sinhala language scholars such as Munidasa Cumarathunga. The society underwent a transformation due to the open economy. This impacted on the Sinhala language.

The seminar was organized by the National Heritage Ministry under the patronage of Amarapura Chapter Deputy Leader Most Ven Trikunamale Ananda Thera.

"It is important to study other languages such as Pali, Sanskrit and English to protect the identify of the Sinhala language. The language will not be protected by a person who is not an expert in the language. It is necessary to pay attention to the tradition of the language, he said.

A special lecture was delivered by Hawaii University Prof Wimal Dissanayake. National Heritage Ministry Secretary Kanthi Wijethunga, Prof Carlo Fonseka and Dr Harishchandra Wijayathunga also participated.