Sri Lanka could come forward as a peaceful and developed nation when its people become competent in two official languages of the country, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.
He was addressing the gathering at the ceremony presided by President Maithripala Sirisena to appreciate the students who achieved distinction passes for Sinhala and Tamil from the "If you know, teach, if you do not know, learn" radio programme 2017. The programme aimed at uniting the broken hearts through implementing the official language policy. The ceremony organised by the National Integration, Reconciliation and Official Languages Ministry was held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium.
The Prime Minister said the countries like Singapore made three languages official to bring about peace in the country. Singapore is a developed country now. He said Malaysia was in conflict in 1960s., but it had developed now."We were far ahead of them those days," the Prime Minister said.
He said Sri Lanka faced Black July in 1983 and thereafter a war. The war ended but we could not bring in reconciliation. "We have been lagging behind while the rest was going forward," the Prime Minister said."We hope unity among communities would strengthen with these programs," the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister said he read a letter by a student named Shanka Chathuranga. "He has written that the country is developing and our environment is now beautiful," the Prime Minister said. "He says all must unite disregarding their languages, religions and other differences. Language is the bridge to unity," the Prime Minister said.
National Integration, Reconciliation and Official Languages Minister Mano Ganesan spoke. Deputy Minister Seyed Ali Zahir Moulana and Minister Arjuna Ranatunga were present.