Lack of proficiency hinders language policy implementation
By Sandun A. Jayasekera
Constitutional Affairs and National Integration Minister D.E.W. Gunasekara lamented yesterday that there was a shortage of 300,000 officers in the public service with proficiency in a second language to implement the official language policy.
In the public service – excluding the armed forces – the percentage proficient in a second language in the Central Government is on average 6 and the level of Provincial Councils and Local Government is on average 16% which is a serious drawback to implement the official language policy enshrined in the statute book. Secondly it is of utmost importance to be proficient in a second language to create understanding and communal harmony among the communities, Minister Gunasekara said yesterday.
“A series of steps have been taken for the speedy and effective implementation of the Official Language Policy in the public service by my Ministry by way of lump sum payments and salary increments, making the second language compulsory for new recruits; classes at every state institution to teach a second language and the establishment of a National Institute of Language Education and Training at Agalawatte are some of them,” he told the Daily Mirror.
“We have also taken a decision to appoint ‘Official Languages Implementation Officers’ (OLIO) at each and every public institution to ensure the full implementation of the official language policy. The OLIO is responsible for the proper implementation of the official language policy at Public, Provincial Councils and Local Government institutions,” Minister Gunasekara stressed.
dailymirror
