By becoming proficient in both of Sri Lanka’s official languages, Sinhala and Tamil, we can enhance our personality and skills while also securing better employment opportunities across the country, stated the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
The certificate awarding ceremony for students who completed the course in learning Sinhala as a second language, conducted by the Languages and Social Development Training Centre of the Surya Foundation, was held this morning – on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, at the Suthumalai Kubera Mahal Hall. The Governor, who participated as the Chief Guest at the event presided over by Surya Foundation Programme Coordinator Thevarasa Premaraja, made the above remarks while presenting certificates to the students and addressing the gathering.
Addressing the event further, the Governor stated that learning several languages, rather than limiting ourselves to learning only one language, would help strengthen our capabilities. Due to the war situation that prevailed in the past, we failed to learn the Sinhala language and consequently lost employment opportunities and other benefits on many occasions. Now that opportunities are available for this, it is very important to make use of such courses to learn a second language. This will strengthen our communication and provide us with the confidence to travel to and work courageously in any part of the country, he stated.
‘It is very gratifying that 400 students who received training through four training centres have received these certificates today. ‘If we need to visit a government department and obtain services, it is very essential to be proficient in the second language. In addition, if English is learned alongside it, our students will be able to go anywhere. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Surya Foundation and its founders for continuously providing such excellent educational services to enhance the capabilities of the youth of the Northern Province, he also pointed out.
The event was attended by the founder of the Surya Foundation and former Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Karu Jayasuriya, former Minister and former Governor of Sabaragamuwa Province, Hon. Navin Dissanayake, Director of the Surya Foundation, Dr. Lanka Jayasuriya Dissanayake, former Prime Minister’s Additional Secretary Dr. Mahinda Moragolla, government officials, representatives of the Surya Foundation and many others, including the students who received certificates.
