Teaching English to underprivileged students by English-Speaking Union of Sri Lanka

Monday, 9 June 2025 00:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The English-Speaking Union of Sri Lanka (ESU) launched its new project recently to teach English to underprivileged students, free of charge. The event was held at Sugatha Dharma Ayathanaya in Mount Lavinia. Twenty-five students aged 14 to 16 were chosen for this course from the suburbs of Colombo. They were boys and girls from all Religions and Ethnic groups. This project was sponsored by the Soroptimist International of Colombo.

ESU Officials, sponsors along with students, parents and teachers participated in the event.

In an inspiring speech made by ESU President Tilak Amerasinghe he emphasised upon the critical need for the youth of this country to possess a fair understanding and practice of spoken and written English. The corporate sector too will benefit of the enhanced opportunity to recruit and select the suitable candidates with the ability to work in English. He also thanked President Isha Miranda of the Soroptimist International of Colombo for sponsoring this worthy cause. He also thanked the Temple Head Priest Venerable Sumana Nanda Thero for graciously agreeing to provide the Dharma Hall to conduct these classes. He further said that ESU Sri Lanka has plans to conduct similar program in major cities of the island and appealed to prospective organisations to come forward and sponsor the ESU in this noble cause.

In the form of advice, President Tilak encouraged the students to be disciplined and to work to a timetable when carrying out their day-to-day activities as this will help relieve them of stress and undue pressure. He also emphasised to them the importance of being grateful to their parents, teachers, relatives and friends who have helped and supported them as this will assist them to be respectful and responsible citizens.