Sri Lanka: Information on the language used on prison staff identification cards, on whether there was a change to English only cards and, if so, on when this change occurred, and on whether the language used on the identification cards varies among provinces
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 March 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LKA20098.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Sri Lanka: Information on the language used on prison staff identification cards, on whether there was a change to English only cards and, if so, on when this change occurred, and on whether the language used on the identification cards varies among provinces, 1 March 1995, LKA20098.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab843c.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Specific information on the above-mentioned subject could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.
An official from the High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, in Ottawa, stated that both Tamil and Sinhala are the official languages of Sri Lanka (15 Mar. 1995). He also mentioned that English is a "coordinating" language and that government institutions are able to communicate in English.
He indicated that prison staff are government employees and that any government department may issue its own identification cards to its employees. The language used on those identification cards may therefore be Tamil, Sinhala or English.
For more information regarding official languages in Sri Lanka, please consult the attached document.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find attached the list of sources consulted in researching this information request.
Reference
High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Ottawa. 15 March 1995. Telephone interview with official.
Attachment
Delhi Domestic Service [Dehli, in English]. 10 December 1988. "Tamil Made Official Language; Ministers Sworn In." (FBIS-NES-88-238 12 Dec. 1988, p. 72).
Additional Sources Consulted
Amnesty International Report 1994. 1994.
Amnesty International country file (Sri Lanka).
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1993. 1994.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1994. 1995.
Critique: Review of the Department of State's Country Reports for 1993.
DIRB country file (Sri Lanka).
FBIS Reports. January 1991- January 1995.
Human Rights Watch World Report 1994. 1995.
Country-specific books available in the Resource Centre in Ottawa.
On-Line searches.
Oral sources.