The Governemt is in the process of setting up of a National Institute of Language Education and Training, thus fulfilling a long felt need. This was stated by the Minister of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration Dew Gunasekara.

The Parliament has unanimously passed the Bill on the National Institute of Language Education and Training on the 7th of this month.  Establishment of this institute will provide extensive training in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages so as to make available persons competent to teach Sinhala, Tamil and English to persons who are desirous of acquiring such knowledge.

The subject of official language was assigned to the Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration as from November 2005.

On a recommendation made by the Minister of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration Dew Gunasekara, a cabinet Sub- Committee comprising the same Minister, Minister of Public Administration Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils- Janaka Bandara Tennekoon were appointed to report to the cabinet on the position relating to the implementation of the Official Languages.

The cabinet having considered the reports by the above Sub- Committee,  reports of the Official’s Committee comprised of three Ministry Secretaries and of the Official Languages Commission, approved the new policy “ The Bilingualization of the Public Service” in June last year (2006).

Accordingly attractive incentives ranging in three categories as from Rs. 15,000/= - Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000 will be offered to Public Servants. Additional Increments and Additional allowances (per month) will also be included in to the special offer package.

The recruits to the Public Service are required to obtain a degree of Proficiency in the Second language with in 5 years. Failure to do so will result in deferment of increments.

In order to fulfill the acute shortage of Trainers, Teachers, Translators and Interpreters and Trilingual Public Officers, a proper training will be provided to the Public Servants in all the three languages.

This institute will also conduct research and studies on issues relating to language training, with a view to utilizing the results of such research and studies for effective functioning of the institute.

Rs. 45 million has been provided for in the Budget for 2007 in the establishment of this new institute. It will be set up in ‘Dartenfield Estate, Agalawatta, a building complex with all facilities including residential quarters.

Although Tamil was made the official language under the provisions of the 13th Amendment to the constitution in 1987; the benefits of these provisions have not percolated to the Tamil speaking people over the last 20 years.

This has affected adversely the lower segments of the Tamil- Speaking society in particular and this created more distrust amongst the communities. Also this created a fertile political environment leading to conflicts, violence with the emergence of separatists, terrorists and chauvinist tendencies.