22nd November 2023 23:04:59 Hours
The Security Force HQ - East (SFHQ - East) - conceptualized language teaching project for both Sinhala and Tamil students in the Eastern province had one more phase on Tuesday (21 Nov) when 200 Sinhala students from Nelumwewa Maha Vidyalaya and Sinhapura Maha Vidyalaya began learning Tamil language under the project.
The opening ceremony of this one-year long Tamil language course was attended by Major General M.K.U.P Gunaratne RSP ndu psc IG, Commander, Security Forces – East as the Chief Guest, together with Major General K.V.N.P Premaratne RSP USP psc, General Officer Commanding - 23 Infantry Division.
Addressing the gathering, the day’s Chief Guest emphasized the importance of learning each other’s language as a society and its positive outcomes towards a meaningful reconciliation process. He further encouraged students to make use of this opportunity to improve their bilingual fluency, which will definitely be an advantage in time to come.
A similar programme to teach Sinhala Language to Tamil speaking children got underway in Oddamawadi National School in Batticaloa a few days ago following initiatives taken by SFHQ - East.
Mr. Nandasena, Assistant Principal at Sinhapura Maha Vidyalaya serves as the teacher of Tamil for these students and he will be supported by Army personnel fluent in Tamil language. The classes are held at weekends in both schools and resource personnel are to be provided with incentives, collected from the well-wishers and donors in the area.
The inaugural occasion was witnessed by the Zone Education Director - Dimbulagala, teachers, and students of both schools, Senior Officers, Officers and parents.
A cultural spectacle added colour to the inaugural ceremony.
9 Sri Lanka Artillery Field Regiment under the 233 Infantry Brigade and the 23 Infantry Division took the lead in organizing inaugural ceremony.
