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Identity cards in Sinhala, Tamil soon
View(s):The relevant authorities are taking a policy decision to include both Sinhala and Tamil languages in the identity card, Deputy Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne informed the Supreme Court.
The fundamental rights petition filed by A.P. Dananjaya Gamage cited Registration of Persons Commissioner General R.N.S. Sarath Kumara, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara and the Attorney General as respondents.
The petitioner claimed that as his identity card which was issued to him in June 2011 was only in Sinhala and had not served the purpose of him being identified if he decides to visit the Northern or Eastern Province as the language of administration there is in Tamil.
The application claims that his fundamental rights to equal rights that no person shall on the grounds of race, language etc.’ be subject to any disability, liability, restriction or condition with regard to access to public places as well as his right to the freedom of movement and of choosing his residence within Sri Lanka, are infringed by the respondents.
The petitioner states that the Constitution specifies that Sinhala and Tamil are the official languages of the country. The DSG informed Court that there are several modalities which have to be looked into in both languages, in the identity card and moved for time till June.
Attorney M.A. Sumanthiran with Ms Saritha Fonseka appeared for the petitioner. The Bench comprised Chief Justice Mohan Pieris and Justices Saleem Marsoof and Priyasath Dep.
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