By learning another language along with our mother tongue, we can make employment opportunities more accessible. If one learns Sinhala, it will be possible to work in any part of Sri Lanka. Learning another language will never diminish us. Thus stated the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, Mr. N. Vethanayahan.
The certificate awarding ceremony for students who completed the Sinhala second-language course, organized by Healthy Lanka and Sooriya Foundation, was held this Monday morning – 29th September 2025 at Sudumalai Kubera Mahal. The founder of the Sooriya Foundation and former Speaker, Mr. Karu Jayasuriya, former Members of Parliament V. Anandasangaree, E. Saravanapavan, and officials from the Embassy of Switzerland also participated.
Addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest, the Governor further stated:
“When I served as the District Secretary of Kilinochchi during the war period, Mr. Karu Jayasuriya was the Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs. I will always recall with pride the time I worked under him. He provided excellent leadership.
Without any political bias, his institution has been laying the foundation for ethnic and religious harmony by teaching Sinhala to Tamil people and Tamil to Sinhala people. Both Sinhala and Tamil languages are important in our country. In our time, the opportunity to learn Sinhala was very limited. Because of this, we lost many opportunities.
But today, for the benefit of our Tamil people, the Sooriya Foundation has been working for the past 10 years. Many youth have benefitted through it. Today, in addition to language proficiency, computer literacy has also become essential. It must be strengthened, as it enables easy access to job opportunities. Therefore, I believe that all those graduating here today will have a bright future.”
The Governor also awarded certificates to the students who completed the Sinhala course. In addition, former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya honored the Governor with a memento.
