Educational Field Visit: Parliament of Sri Lanka & Department of Official Languages
Day 1: Parliament Visit
An educational visit to the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka was organized by the Department of Translation Studies, University of Jaffna, with the aim of providing students with practical exposure to the country’s legislative processes and enhancing their understanding of language use in formal and political contexts. A total of 26 students participated in the visit, accompanied by Senior Lecturer Mr. Wimal Swaminathan and Assistant Lecturer Ms. Rameeza, who served as the academic staff in charge of the programme.
On 22nd October 2025, the team arrived at the Parliament complex at approximately 9.45 a.m. The majestic beauty and architectural grandeur of the Parliament building made a lasting impression on all participants. Upon arrival, the group underwent the necessary security and formal checking procedures before proceeding to the Second Gallery. A parliamentary official provided an informative briefing about the structure, functions, and proceedings of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.
After the presentation, the students were seated in the gallery to observe a live parliamentary debate between the Government (House of Proposition) and the Opposition (House of Opposition). It was an insightful experience to witness parliamentary discussions and formal communication in action. Several prominent political leaders, including the Hon. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and the Hon. Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, was present and actively participating in the proceedings.
Day 2: Visit to DOL and SLRC
As part of the B.A. Honours in Translation Studies curriculum at the University of Jaffna, a field visit was conducted to the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) and the Department of Official Languages (DOL) in Colombo on 23rd October 2025. The visit aimed to provide students with practical exposure to professional translation practices and to understand how translation facilitates communication in both media and government institutions. Its objectives included exploring the role of translation in national media broadcasting, observing translation and subtitling processes in television production, learning about the functions and responsibilities of the DOL, investigating career opportunities for translation graduates in media and public service, and developing awareness of translation ethics, accuracy, and professionalism.
During the visit to the DOL, students gained insights into the implementation of Sri Lanka’s Official Languages Policy, including translation and interpretation of government documents, conducting language proficiency examinations, maintaining official terminology databases, and monitoring the use of official languages in public institutions. The department highlighted quality assurance procedures, ethical standards, and the significance of bilingualism and trilingualism in ensuring equal access to public services. Officials also provided guidance on career pathways for translators, internship, language officers, and interpreters, encouraging students to consider professional opportunities within the public sector.