[lg policy] Sri Lanka: Language pluralism helps build peace - Canadian High Commissioner

[Harold Schiffman]

Language pluralism helps build peace - Canadian HC
Shirley WIJESINGHE

Promoting language pluralism is a decisive factor in Sri Lanka's
longterm stability. A genuine commitment to give the Tamil language
equal status in the administrative process of the state will help in
building lasting peace and reconciliation, Canadian High Commissioner,
Bruce Levy said. He added that language is widely considered as being
both a divider and unifier. Connections made through language are
long-lasting and have ripple effects on culture and togetherness. He
was speaking at an event organized for the launch of three
publications of the Official Language Commission held at Organization
of Professionals yesterday.

"Canada and Sri Lanka are very different countries but we share with
you the challenge of dealing generously with minority languages," he
said. Sri Lanka had been a one of the earliest recipients of the
Canadian development assistance. In 2007, the Canadian International
Development Agency contributed US$ 100,000 to OLC. CIDA support was
extended to conduct seminars, on the implementation of official
language policy for Government officials and to train trainers to
increase the pool of Tamil instructors and to train Government
officials, he said. He said that when the new projects proposed by OLC
are implemented there will be significant changes within the public
service such as progress key sectors and giving better public service
to the minorities in the country.

http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/02/12/news33.asp

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