The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has been involved in Language Rights advocacy and the implementation of the Official Languages Policy (OLP) in Sri Lanka since 2011. This work has entailed a comprehensive independent language audit, coordinated among 54 DS Divisions in Sri Lanka, to ascertain the degree of OLP implementation in government institutions. It is the first of its kind conducted by an independent institution, and has provided many insights for further language rights advocacy in Sri Lanka, especially at a policy-making level.
Another initiative was the establishment of the Citizenslanka website – a website containing all the laws and related documents pertaining to language rights in Sri Lanka, which would be of considerable utility to the public, as it is also available to them in one easy-to-access website. The website is trilingual and all attempts were made to ensure that as many government documents are available on it in all three languages. The Citizenslanka website also serves as a platform for citizen activists to network and share human interest stories, launch petitions and host articles.
The Citizenslanka website and the Language Audit was launched at the “Language: Uniting Humanity” public event, held on the 9th of November, 2016 from 9.30 – 12.00, at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations
Citizenslanka Web launch video
Language-Audit-Summary-Report English
List-for-Language-Audit-Book-Organizations-and-Government Officers