OLC gets tough

27 June 2011 12:45 am Views - 4167

Firm action would be taken against Government departments, commonly patronised locations and other public places in the event it receives a complaint from the public on language discrimination, Official Languages Commission (OLC) said yesterday.

According to Chapter Four of the Constitution any individual or organization could make a complaint to the Official Languages Commission as it is a violation of language rights,” the Commission’s Secretary, J.C Ranepura said.

He said that people have the right to read and understand documents, notices and other printed material without any difficulty and that Government Departments and other public places had a duty to ensure that people’s rights were protected. 

“In order to ensure that the rights of the people are protected the Commission has implemented a new rule which makes it imperative for all Government departments and public places to print documents in all three languages. The failure to do so will result in the issuing of a Rs.1000 fine or three months imprisonment,” Ranepura said.

He said if the public has any complaint pertaining to language discrimination they can write to the Official Languages Commission at Fourth floor, ‘Basha Mandiraya’, 341/7 Kotte Road, Rajagiriya, or send an email to olc@sltnet.lk, or call on 0112871378.

The Official Languages Commission is entitled to recommend principles of policy relating to the use of Official Languages. It also has the authority to take action as necessary to ensure the appropriate use of the official Languages. (Olindhi Jayasundere)