In Sri Lanka, we are today talking the language of peace. I am sure that your decision to hold this conference in Colombo is further proof of the peace that prevails in our country after a long period of conflict, terror and immense hardship to our people, said President Rajapaksa addressing the inaugural session of the 9th Ninth Conference on Language and Development in Colombo this morning.

"Sri Lanka is at present implementing a policy that seeks to use language to bind our people together. We are committed to safeguarding the language rights of our people and also transforming Sri Lanka into a tri-lingual country with the use of English as a link language among our communities. English would also be the vehicle for our children to access knowledge as we envisage to become a knowledge hub in the region," President Rajapaksa added.

He said:" Our primary focus however would be to ensure that people of this country, irrespective of their ethnicities will learn the main languages, Sinhalese and Tamil, to communicate with each other."

Language, as we all know, is a means of communication and understanding. However, our own experience shows that language can be an instrument of division and conflict, too. I am, therefore, pleased that this conference with its theme of “Language and Social Cohesion” will have special relevance to Sri Lanka, as it would also be of much value to other countries of the developing world.

"We see the importance of language for economic development, especially in the improving of employment opportunities for our youth, the enabling of social mobility among our people, and opening the way for us to participate in the global economy",
the President said.


The three-day conference themed under "Language and Social Cohesion" is organised and hosted by the Ministry of National Languages and Social Integration, the Ministry of Education, German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), and the British Council’s Project English.

Participants from seventeen countries who are interested in the role language play in development work will discuss the issues of world, national, second and minority languages in relation to economic, social and cultural development, language policy and pedagogy.

The Minister of National Integration Vasudeva Nanayakkara, the Senior Minister of Science And Technology Tissa Witharana, German Ambassador in Sri Lanka Jens Plötner, and the Australian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Kathy Klugman were among the distinguished gathering at the inaugural session.

Full text of the speech:

Hon Vasudeva Nanayakkara
Minister of National Integration

Excellencies

Distinguished Guests

Friends

Let me first express my appreciation for your decision to make Sri Lanka the venue for this Ninth Conference on Language and Development, which is the first time that our country has been extended this opportunity. I believe at this time of our history, holding of this conference is significant.

In Sri Lanka, we are today talking the language of peace. I am sure that your decision to hold this conference in Colombo is further proof of the peace that prevails in our country after a long period of conflict, terror and immense hardship to our people. During the three decades of terror and mayhem that we experienced, not many wanted to come here. With the elimination of terrorism, the situation has drastically changed. Sri Lanka is becoming a destination for business, leisure and tranquility.

Language, as we all know, is a means of communication and understanding. However, our own experience shows that language can be an instrument of division and conflict, too. I am, therefore, pleased that this conference with its theme of “Language and Social Cohesion” will have special relevance to Sri Lanka, as it would also be of much value to other countries of the developing world.

My dear Friends,

Sri Lanka is at present implementing a policy that seeks to use language to bind our people together. We are committed to safeguarding the language rights of our people and also transforming Sri Lanka into a tri-lingual country with the use of English as a link language among our communities. English would also be the vehicle for our children to access knowledge as we envisage to become a knowledge hub in the region. Our primary focus however would be to ensure that people of this country, irrespective of their ethnicities will learn the main languages, Sinhalese and Tamil, to communicate with each other.

We are ready to learn from the advances of language teaching that can help the progress of pluralism in our society. We see the importance of language for economic development, especially in the improving of employment opportunities for our youth, the enabling of social mobility among our people, and opening the way for us to participate in the global economy.

In the field of education we see the important role that language can play in social integration. It is for this purpose that we have introduced new policies for teaching of English and Information Technology, to take the latest advances in knowledge and technology to all parts of our country.

In pursuance of this objective 2009 was declared as the year of English and IT, purely to give strong emphasis to the teaching and learning of these two vital areas of education. We look at English as a Life Skill that would enable our children to forge ahead in life and become global citizens.

We also see language playing a very important role in development of the arts. The fusion of languages, and through this the interaction of different cultures, enriches the cultural patterns and standards of arts in society.

I observe that there is a very distinguished list of participants at this conference, drawn from diverse fields of knowledge and experience in aspects of language. You have a very interesting agenda set out for your discussions. I strongly believe that your deliberations will bring about solutions to some of our long standing language issues.

I warmly welcome all foreign delegates to Sri Lanka and trust that you will take back with you the best memories of the friendship and hospitality of our people. I wish this conference every success.

May the Triple Gem Bless You.