Former Indian President arrives in Sri Lanka to launch Trilingual Initiative

India's former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam arrived in Sri Lanka late Friday on a four-day visit at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. A special ceremony to welcome the visiting dignitary will take place at the Temple Trees Saturday evening with the participation of the President and several ministers.
The President is scheduled to engage in discussion with Dr. Kalam on ways to strengthen indo Sri Lanka bilateral relations. He is also scheduled to deliver a special lecture at the Temple Trees. The former Indian leader will also join President Rajapaksa today to launch the "Trilingual Initiative", an ambitious programme of the Sri Lankan President to encourage all Sri Lankans to learn all three languages - Sinhalese, Tamil, and English. During his stay Dr. Kalam will deliver special lectures at the Universities of Colombo and Moratuwa. He will take part in a conference held with the scientists of Sri Lanka and also in deliberations aimed at obtaining views and suggestions for the compilation of the organizing structure for a five-year development programme for the island nation. "I am going to Sri Lanka with a mission of promoting peace, prosperity and harmony for all societal constituents," Dr. Kalam has told the Indian daily The Hindu in an interview. Dr. Kalam has also scheduled to visit Jaffna on Monday to meet the scholars, professionals and the concerned citizens in the peninsula.