Mr. Nanayakkara, who is the Minister of National Languages and Social Integration, told the Daily Mirror that the Official Languages Commission Act would be amended in this regard. He said the present law did not have enough teeth to take action against those who did not comply with the official languages policy.

In Sri Lanka, Sinhala and Tamil are the official languages.

“If we ask any institution to use both languages in the discharge of their duties to the general public, it should oblige. If our instructions are disregarded, we will have to take action. The existing law is not strong enough in this exercise,” he said.

The Minister said the number of police officers with Tamil language proficiency should be increased at least by five or six folds to address the needs of people, particularly in the north and the east.

“We have only 600 such officers at the moment,” he said.

The Minister said the use of Tamil language in the delivery of government services had improved today.

“I do not say things are perfect. Yet, there is an improvement compared with the past,” he said.

Source: Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka