Minister of Health, Eastern Provincial Council, M.I.M. Mansoor, also participated in the event. Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Health thanked the Government of India for its continuing assistance in the Eastern Province, covering all sectors. High Commissioner, in his remarks, emphasized Government of India's continued commitment to development partnership with Sri Lanka.
The Language Lab in Addalaichenai is one of the nine Language Labs that the Government of India has set up in each of the nine provinces of Sri Lanka. Three Language Labs in Gampaha (Western Province), Bingiriya (North Central Province) and Kandy (Central Province) have already been inaugurated. Other locations where Language Labs have been set up include Badulla (Uva Province), Jaffna (Northern Province), Matara (Southern Province), Polonnaruwa (North Central Province), and Ratnapura (Sabaragamuwa Province).
The total cost of the Language Lab project is SLR 84 million. As part of the project, Government of India has provided 31 computer units and other related equipment, software and latest sophisticated teaching aids to each Centre, and has also trained five master trainers for each Centre. The objective of the project is to help enhance English Language training infrastructure in Sri Lanka; impart training to English language teachers from schools, colleges and universities in Sri Lanka; upgrade their skills; and raise the general level of proficiency in English language of various sections of society.