Government should immediately implement Official Language Act – Tamil MP

[January 29, 2003 - 11.00 GMT]

“We want the government to implement the Official Language Act immediately. More the delay, the more the animosity among Tamil people,” V. Anadasangari, Tamil United Liberation Front Member of Parliament said today.

He said that all letters received by him from ministers were only in Sinhala.

The Official Language Act of 1987 declared Tamil and Sinhala as Official Languages of Sri Lanka.

“Government officials send letters to residents in the North and East in Sinhala only,” a Vavuniya Divisional Secretariat official said.

Minister of Justice, Law Reforms and National Integration, W. J. M. Lokubandara was not available for comment.

Meanwhile the Government of Norway has pledged financial aid and expertise to to promote Tamil language throughout the island.

The funds will be utilised through the National Integration Programme Unit (NIPU) of the Ministry of Justice. NIPU was set up in 1997 with the assistance of the Norwegian government to promote activities related to the integration of the various communities.

The Unit has already started Tamil language training programmes for Buddhist monks, police personnel and schoolteachers.

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Last Updated Date: January 29, 2003  - 11.00 GMT.