The Ministry of National Languages and Social Integration has taken steps to initiate a new program to teach Sinhala, Tamil and English to 1.2 million public servants.

Measures will be taken to set up language training centres in
each province with the assistance of Provincial Councils, said newly appointed Minister of National Languages and Social Integration S.B. Nawinna.

The Minister pointed out that the public faces various problems when they go to the local authorities and government offices since these authorities communicate in Sinhala and English mostly. This problem arises again when Sinhala speaking people go to local authorities and Government officers in the North and the East where the official communications are either in Tamil or English. That is why we decided to resolve this matter, he added.

Learning three languages is a socio-economic need and it will help to build bridges of friendship among the communities, the Minister further said.