Action has been taken to establish the National Languages Division, which was maintained in Rajagiriya until now, in the premises of the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Colombo 07 with effect from today. This division has been maintained so far in a private building obtained on a rental basis. This National Languages Division, which was shifted to of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government in this way, was opened this morning by the Prime Minister and Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government. Speaking on this occasion, the Prime Minister mentioned that various problems have arisen across the country due to the dearth of translators. Especially in the judicial sector, the services of retired translators have been obtained for a long time due to the shortage of translators. Further, he pointed out that all institutions in the field of language education should work together to find a solution to this issue, and special attention should also be paid to the development of the English language. The Prime Minister also said that the field of translation should be connected with the universities in order to provide a high level of education to these officials and the support provided by foreign countries like Canada for this purpose is highly appreciated.

Providing quick solutions to national language problems, working together with the Official Languages Commission to solve language problems, issuing circulars related to language policies and conducting official language examinations are also carried out by this division. Also, any problem related to a language matter is received through the 1956 hotline and the solutions are provided immediately by this division. A group of ministry officials, including the State Ministers, Mr. Janaka Vakkumbura and Mr. Ashoka Priyantha, and the Secretary of the Ministry, Mr.Neel Bandara Hapuhinne, were present on this occasion.

Buddhika Rupasinghe

Media Secretary to the

Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government