Language should be used as bridge which links people: President

President Maithripala Sirisena, addressing the National Tamil Language Day ceremony held at Jaffna Hindu College on Saturday, said that language should be used as a bridge which links people and not as a tool to divide.

The President recalled the close relationship between the country’s different communities that had existed since ancient times and stated that today people who did not value humanity obstructed the journey of fostering national reconciliation between all communities.

President Sirisena spoke about the importance of equal education rights for all of the country’s children, irrespective of ethnicity or religion, to build them into citizens rich with knowledge and emphasised that the Government would fulfil its duty to prepare these children to conquer the future. 

Furthermore, paying attention to a request made by potato farmers in Jaffna, he said that the Government would speak to the relevant authorities regarding the steps that could be taken to help potato farmers while not allowing the future import of potatoes.

The President also listened to a request made by Jaffna farmers about their bank loans and said that he would speak to state and private banks about providing necessary relief measures.

Meanwhile, a few people stage a protested in Jaffna demanding the transfer of three Tamil prisoners who were sent to Anuradhapura prison from Vavuniya prison, back to Vavuniya. The protestors gathered along the road raising black flags when the President was on his way to Hindu College. The President met them and said that he was ready to speak to anyone with issues regardless of whether they were from the North or South.

The President, addressing the gathering at Hindu College, emphasised that even though everyone had the right to protest, he was attempting to build a just and peaceful society where all communities could  live together, while not allowing any room  for the recurrence  of a brutal civil war.

The President invited all the protestors to hoist flags of peace instead of black flags to provide their support for a journey which aims to fulfil the aspirations of the future generation.  

President Sirisena opened the newly-built technical laboratory at Hindu College for the students.

The President also presented awards to students who won competitions held to mark Tamil Language Day.

Furthermore, the President presented awards in recognition of the contribution made for the advancement of education in the Jaffna District.

The State Minister of Education V. Radhakrishnan presented a special memento to the President.

People’s representatives, including the Governor of the Northern Province Reginald Cooray, Parliamentarian Angajan Ramanathan, public servants, principals, schoolchildren and many others participated in this occasion.