Sunday Times 2
First ever Urdu Language Centre in Sri Lanka inaugurated
View(s):The first ever Urdu Language Training Centre in Sri Lanka was inaugurated today at an impressive ceremony in Colombo.
National Dialogue Minister Mano Ganesan was the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony. Pakistan High Commissioner Syed Shakeel Hussain and National Integration and Reconciliation State Minister A.H.M. Fowzie were among the guests.
Shakeel Hussain speaking on the occassion
The Urdu Language Centre has been established by the High Commission of Pakistan as part of Pakistan Culture, Education and Urdu Language Learning Centre, and it would be imparting language training to Pakistani, Sri Lankan and other expatriate students.
The Urdu Centre has been named after Baba-e-Urdu Maulvi Abdul Haq in view of his vision and extraordinary contribution towards development of the modern Urdu language. The Centre will provide free of cost Urdu language education to the students as the entire expenditure of the training will be borne by the Government of Pakistan.
High Commissioner Shakeel Hussain said Urdu language training will promote better understanding of Pakistan and its culture in Sri Lanka. He added that Urdu language training will not only assist the Sri Lankan students who go to Pakistan for various educational scholarships and advance learning programmes but will also prove to be a useful skill for the business community.
The event also features several cultural performances by the Pakistani and Sri Lankan students, which was thoroughly admired by the participants.
Historically, Urdu language developed and evolved after 8th century A.D in the subcontinent region. Urdu acquired status of lingua franca of the sub-continent during approx. 1000 year long Muslim rule over India.
Students in a group photo with Chief Guest Hon Mano Ganeshan, Minister AHM Fauwzi and High Commissioner