President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the 63rd Session of the United Nation’s General Assembly spoke a few words in Tamil at the beginning of his address.

Both Sinhala and Tamil have been used through the centuries, are rich in literature, and are widely used in Sri Lanka, with recognition as Official Languages, he told the UNGA in Tamil.

He expressed hope that “with the widening of democracy in our country, the bonds between the Sinhala and Tamil people of Sri Lanka will grow stronger and remain a major force for its future development.”

This is the first time that a Sri Lankan Head of State has addressed the UNGA in Tamil.