English language scholars feted

The latest event to fete the John Keells English language scholars from across the island - was held on Friday, June 19 at the Bishop's College Auditorium.

The scholars displayed their talents in drama, poetry recitation, debates and speeches, while over 150 students also received certificates for the course they had completed in November 2008.

The Chief Guest at the event was Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President of Sri Lanka, while the guests of honour were Susantha Ratnayake, Chairman, John Keells Holdings PLC and R. I. T. Alles, Founder of the Gateway Group. The English Day was organised by John Keells Social Responsibility Foundation (JKSRF) in collaboration with the Gateway Language Centre.

Chief Guest, Lalith Weeratunga, said the need for Sri Lankans of the present day and age to be not just bilingual but trilingual and encouraged the youth to have the confidence to speak and communicate in English. Referring to the fact that, at the GCE (Ordinary Level) examination held in December 2008, 69 percent of candidates had failed the English paper, he said that he was greatly heartened to see initiatives such as the English Language Scholarship Program of JKSRF making a genuine effort to further the quality English education in the country. He congratulated John Keells for their commitment and passion in this respect. Conceptualised by the JKSRF, the scholarship program was launched in 2004 with the objective of enhancing English language skills of schoolchildren and youth across the island