Feb 13, Colombo: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa was the chief guest of a function to launch the Year of English and Information Technology at the President Office this morning. The President addressing the gathering said that his government is totally committed to widen the knowledge of English and IT in Sri Lanka, and thanked the Indian government for its assistance to train English teachers in Sri Lanka.

President Rajapaksa launching its website (www.englishandit.lk) with the help of ICTA Program Head of Communications and Media, Athula Pushpakumara, declared 2009 as the Year of English and IT.

Special guest from India, industrialist and a founder of Infosys Technologies, Narayana Murthy, Ministers Dr. Sarath Amunugama and Prof. Tissa Vitharana, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Indian High Commissioner Alok Prasad also attended the ceremony.

Nimesha Priyadarshani, a student from Ketawela Kanista Vidyalaya delivered an acknowledgment speech.

Prof P.W. Epasinghe, the Chairman of ICTA handed over the report of the National ICTA literacy campaign to the President. Deputy Minister S.M Sellasamy handed over the First Say stamp cover to the President and Chairman of BOI, Dammika Perera presented the BOI Pledge to the President.

Picture by Sudath Silva