He said that technical education in Tamil is neglected in the proposed educational reforms that the Sri Lankan government is set to implement next year (1999).

He points out in his statement that there are 470 technical and vocational courses in the Sinhala medium and 91 in English whereas there are only 65 courses for Tamil speaking students.

All the districts of the country except Mannar, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu have technical colleges. The Vanni has been denied technical education he charged.

He said that there aren't any Tamil medium technical colleges outside the Northeastern province. According to Mr.Mahasivam Tamil medium instruction is provided only in the technical colleges of Jaffna, Batticaloa, Sammanthurai (Amapara) and Trincomalee.

Sinhala is the medium of instruction at the other thirty four colleges in the island.

The Sinhala medium technical colleges in Sri Lanka offer eight courses in computer studies whereas there is only one such course in Tamil in Trincomalee he points out.

Mr.Mahasivam says that vocational and technical education in radio, electronics, TV technology, motor vehicle maintenance and repair, leather working etc., that help generate self employment has been denied to Tamil medium students.