Provincial Tamil Language Day festival held in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Monday, 20 September 2004, 20:13 GMT]
Northeast Tamil Language Day competition at provincial level was held Sunday morning and the winners were awarded with certificates in the evening at the Provincial Tamil Language Day Festival the same day evening at Trincomalee St.Mary's College Theresian auditorium.

Provincial Education Ministry Secretary Mr.R.Thiayagalingam was the chief guest at the function. Mr.S.Elilan, Trincomalee district political head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was the special guest.

At the commencement the guests were taken in a procession to the venue with the Tamil Inniyam band music of the Trincomalee Sri Koneswara Hindu College was in attendance.

Provincial Director of Education Mr.R.Visahalingam presided. Deputy Director of Education Mr.V. Mahendran made the welcome address. Mr.Kavi Inban, LTTE's Trincomalee District Education Head also attended the event.

Master K. Jegatheesan who won first place in Music ( solo) is receiving his certificate from Ms Hemantharanee Thiagalingam. Master Jegatheesan is total blind from birth and is a student of Tellipalai Union College.

(L-R) Provincial Education Secretary, Mr.Thiagalingam releasing the souvenir ’Kavin Tami’ by accepting the first copy from Provincial Director of ducation Mr.Vishalingam (extreme left). Mr.N.Anandaraj, Editor of the souvenir is seen in the middle.

Mr.Elilan in his keynote address said that LTTE gives top priority for preserving Tamil language and its culture in its controlled areas in the Northeast province. People visiting our controlled areas can see from advertisement billboards and to other activities the Tamil language being preserved.

Tamil language cannot be destroyed. The main objective of our liberation struggle is to safeguard Tamil Language, its culture and the people and the Tamil homeland, added Mr.Elilan.

Ms Hemantharanee Thiagalingam hands over certificate to a winner.

LTTE Trincomalee district political head Mr.Elilan is seen delivering his keynote address.

Provincial Education Secretary Mr.Thiagalingam said teachers and students should join hands to use Tamil language in its original form. A nation is identified through its language and culture. A nation faces extinction if its language is destroyed. Tamils should realize this and should work with dedication to safeguard the Tamil language and its culture, he stressed.

Mr.Thiagalaingam released the souvenir "Kavin Thamil-2004" marking the Tamil Language Day festival. Mr.Vishalingam handed over the first copy of souvenir to Mr.Thiagalingam.

Assistant Editor of Education Mr.N.Anandaraj, who is also the editor of the souvenir and secretary of the organizing committee of the festival proposed vote of thanks.