Language can strengthen community ties - Education Minister

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane last week said that bonds between the Sinhalese and Tamil communities could be further strengthened by teaching both languages to each and every child in the country from their tender ages.

Minister Gunawardane told the Sunday Observer that children of both communities should be encouraged to mingle with each other by introducing various group activities.

Such activities could help them share their views, which would help create unity and harmony among communities.

He said not only these two communities, but all other communities in the country should get together like children of Mother Lanka.

"Bridging the gap between communities cannot be achieved overnight.

"Therefore, I have instructed officials to develop the language skills of communities first and thereafter pave the way for them to engage in extra-curricular group activities".

He said under this program, Southern schoolchildren should visit Northern schools regularly and vice versa to refresh their friendships.

The Minister said he has also instructed education authorities to promote sports and cultural activities among communities and directed school authorities to help in this program by conducting sporting and cultural events between schools in the South and the North.

Minister Gunawardane requested Southern children to visit historical places in the Northern and Eastern areas and Northern children to visit historical and other places of interest in the South.