India, Sri Lanka 'sister countries' - Nirupama Rao
"High human development indicators in SL"
India and Sri Lanka are "sister countries", which
shared a "model, unique, and time-tested" relationship, stated the
Indian Foreign Secretary, Nirupama Rao.
The Foreign Secretary mentioned the high human
development indicators in Sri Lanka and said she felt that there was
much for India to learn from Sri Lanka. In this sense, relationship
between India and Sri Lanka was one of "give and take", quoting the
Foreign Secretary, the Hindu reported.
The Foreign Secretary made these statements after
formally inaugurating the Sri Lanka- India Centre for English Language
Training (SLICELT) in Peradeniya on Sunday (07 March).
She added that India was happy to be involved in an
initiative that aimed at developing "tools of empowerment" and stated
that India was interested in a more intensive economic cooperation that
led to a development of a balanced relationship between the two
countries, the Hindu reported.
Relations between Sri Lanka and India dating back to
time immemorial would be further strengthened by the SLICELT, quoting
the Foreign Secretary, the Island reported.
Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga said it
was the President Rajapaksa's concept to make English accessible as a
life skill to every nook and corner of the country on the basis of
equality. Facilities to learn English should be freely available for one
and all for the development of the country, he said. He stressed that
Sri Lanka has to use modern technology to keep abreast with the rest of
the world.
President's Secretary added that English Teaching
Centre for Graduate to acquire proficiency in English would be set up
and thanked the Indian Government for this invaluable wealth given to
Sri Lanka.
Senior Presidential Advisor and SLICELT program Co-ordinator,
Sunimal Fernando said President Mahinda Rajapaksa has recognised the
importance of teaching English as a life skill to communicate with the
outside world to strengthen development, the Daily News reported.
Under the MoU, singed by the two countries in
September on the establishment of SLICELT, India has appointed the
English and Foreign Language University (EFLU), Hyderabad as the
Technical Consultant for the Project and funded the deputation of two
experts from EFLU for a period of two years to work at SLICELT. In
addition, a digital language laboratory has also been set up with
India's assistance. Earlier in 2008 and
2009, India sent two batches of 40 English Language
Master Teacher Trainers each from Sri Lanka for training at the EFLU
under India's International Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC)
Scheme.
The SLICELT has been set up to serve as a focal point
for the teaching of English language and is part of the Sri Lankan
Presidential Initiative of developing "English as A Life Skill" in Sri
Lanka.
It will take the lead in upgrading the skills of the
400 strong cadre of English Language Master Trainers trained and
developed under the Presidential Initiative to deliver Spoken English
Teaching Skills to the 22,000 English teachers in government schools.
The SCICELT will also provide technical assistance to
the Commissioner General of Examinations to develop Spoken English
Testing Tools to be introduced at GCE Ordinary and Advanced Level
examinations in 2011 and School Based Assessment (SBA) Tools for
evaluating Spoken English Skills from grade 6 onwards.
It will provide technical assistance to the National
Institute of Education (NIE) in developing English Syllabi, Curricula,
Course Books and Teacher Guides placing emphasis on Listening and
Speaking Skills in keeping with the objectives of the Presidential
Initiative on 'English as a Life Skill'. It will also assist the
Education Publications Division (EPD) of the Ministry in the publication
of state-of-the-art course books on Spoken English for schools, the
Hindu reported.
Courtesy: President Media Unit | 
