Parents naming children in Tamil honoured

[TamilNet, Monday, 28 June 2004, 13:41 GMT]
"Silampam" an organization run by Tamil expatriates in Canada through its northeast branch Sunday evening honoured selected sixty five Tamil parents at a function held in Trincomalee St Joseph's' College for having named their children with 'pure' Tamil names. "Silampam" has been engaged in a campaign to create awareness among Tamils worldwide to safeguard Tamil language.


Poet Puthuvai Ratnathurai seen handing over prize money to a mother

As a part of the campaign, Silampam selects parents who have named their children with Tamil names and honour them with incentives not only in Sri Lanka but also in several countries including Tamilnadu in India.

Silampam organized first event of this type in Jaffna in February this year and honoured about one hundred Tamil parents. Each parent was given one thousand rupees as an incentive.

The second phase was held in Trincomalee Sunday evening. Silampam co-ordinator in North East Mr.K. Nadarajah said the third event would be held in Batticaloa next month.

Poet Puthuvai Ratnathurai, Head of the Arts and Cultural department of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) presided over the event held in Trincomalee. LTTE Trincomalee district political head Mr.S.Elilan delivered the keynote address and Trincomalee district parliamentarian Mr.K.Thurairatnasingham delivered the Prize Giving Address.

Ms N.Sri Devi, Provincial Assistant Director of Cultural Affairs, Mr.Ranee Sitharan, Education official, Mr.Kuralamutham Vinayagasothy and Mr.Kavianban, Head of the Trincomalee District Educational Association also spoke. Mr.V. Gunapalan, co-ordinator for Silampam in Trincomalee district made the welcome address and Mr.S.Koneswaran, Cultural Officer proposed vote of thanks.

Mr.Elilan handing over prize to a mother with child. Mr.Nadarajah of Silampam is also seen	"Silampam"North East co-ordinator Mr.K.Nadarajah inaugurated the incentive payment to parents
LTTE Trincomalee district political head Mr.Elilan speaking while Mr.Kavianban, Puthuvai Ratnathurai and parliamentarian Mr.K.Thurairatnasingham are seen seated behind	Scene from a play by the students of Trincomalee Sivananda Thabovanam