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Stwa literary works presented to President:
Sinhala-Tamil must be taught from pre-school - President
Writers have a vital role to play in building
friendship, faith and understanding among various communities in this
country, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said addressing Sinhala-Tamil
Writers' Association (STWA) members at a ceremony at Temple Trees,
Colombo, recently.
The occasion was the presentation of a series of
literary works published by the STWA in recent times to the President.
President Rajapaksa said even though the 30-year
scourge of terrorism had ended, fear and suspicion which prevailed in
the minds of Sri Lankans had not been fully erased.
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A collection of literary works published
by the Sinhala-Tamil Writers’ Association being presented to
President Mahinda Rajapaksa at a ceremony at Temple Trees
Colombo recently. Ministers Dallas Alahapperuma and Bandula
Gunawardena and Publisher Sirisumana Godage are also in the
picture. |
One way through which this remaining negative mental
state could be eradicated and mutual understanding could rebuilt was by
publishing more and more literary works in Sinhala and Tamil languages,
the President said. President Rajapaksa said he considered the language
problem as a major cause which damaged communal amity and harmony.
"We should also consider the 30-year conflict as
another lesson. I firmly believe that both Sinhala and Tamil should be
taught to our future generation from pre-school level. A national
program should be launched to teach Sinhala to Tamil students and Tamil
to Sinhala students. We should consider it our prime duty to prevent a
repetition of such a calamity in the future," he said.
The President said he highly valued and appreciated
the services rendered by the STWA to promote Sinhala and Tamil
literature and friendship and understanding among the two communities.
The STWA delegation also presented a memorandum
containing certain recommendations for promoting peace friendship and
co-existence among all communities in the country.
The President said he would bring the memorandum to
the notice of the relevant sections for appropriate action.
Ministers Dallas Alahapperuma and Bandula Gunawardena
and STWA members Denagama Siriwardena, T Joseph, Vajira Prabath
Wijayasinghe, Antony Jeewa, Tennyson Perera, Dickwelle Kamal,
Amarasinghe Kudagalara, Padma Somakanthan, M L Vidanapathirana, Mamon
Thavi, Upali Leelaratne, Ravi Ratnavel, S Ariyanathan, L D de S
Ubhayaratne, Mohamed Razook, Kamal Perera and Publisher Sirisumana
Godage were also present.
Courtesy: Daily News | 
