Ensuring Language Rights a must to resolve conflict- Collure

[TamilNet, Saturday, 11 December 2004, 14:46 GMT]
"Until the language rights of Tamil people enshrined in the Statute are implemented in true spirit, no satisfactory solution to the conflict between the two communities can be found," said Mr.Raja Collure, Chairman of the Official Languages Department inaugurating a special Tamil language-training course for police personnel in Colombo Friday.

The event was held at the media unit of the Police Headquarters in Colombo and Mr.Collure who replaced Mr.D.E.W.Gunasekara, was the chief guest. Mr.D.E.W.Gunasekara currently holds the post of Minister of Constitutional Affairs and Official Languages Department

He added to create lasting understanding, both communities should learn each other's language.

The factors, which are impediment to the implementation of the Official Language Act in the country especially in the northeast, should be removed forthwith, Mr.Collure said.

Mr.Jayantha Wickremaretna, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Crime Prevention), Mr.Rienzie Perera, Police media spokesman and Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr.Senarath Gunasena, Secretary to the Official Languages Department and several others also attended the event, sources said.

Tamil people in the country are not able enjoy the benefits from the official status given to their language. Hence Tamil people are forced to fight for their legitimate rights.

More than ninety percent of the population in the northeast province are Tamil people. But fourteen thousand police personnel sent to serve in the province are not competent in Tamil language, said Mr.Collure.