Message from the High Commissioner to Canada in Sri Lanka and Maldives

I'm looking forward to the International Conference on Social Sciences and Languages (ICCSL 2024) to be held in December 2024, organized by the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka (SUSL).

The conference promises to be a versatile forum for exploring the integration of social sciences and linguistic research. Canada is a longstanding partner of Sri Lanka in its journey to advance language rights. We have shared our experience in implementing Canada's Official Languages Act with Sri Lanka since the early 2000s through a series of development initiatives. Currently, we are funding a project entitled Pathways to Peace: Building Inclusive Governance and Social Cohesion, which aims to strengthen implementation of Sri Lanka 's Official Languages Policy (OLP) and foster social cohesion among diverse communities through inclusive, accountable governance.

Language allows us to communicate with one another, to share ideas and experiences. It has the power to build societies, but also, to sow division if not carefully managed. Ensuring language rights in multi-cultural societies such as Canada and Sri Lanka afford minorities respect for their ethnic and linguistic identities. Strengthening the systems which protect and advance such rights allows all language communities to see themselves in the vision of the nation a whole.

Looking ahead to ICCSL 2024, I wish SUSL the very best in organizing the conference. It is sure to yield rich conversation on language rights and equality for the betterment of Sri Lanka and other diverse communities around the globe.

See you there!