State and private sector banks and leading private sector companies have joined hands with the Ministry of Education to promote English Language teaching in Sri Lanka by supporting teacher professional development.

They are supporting the 5th International SLELTA (Sri Lanka English Language Teachers’ Association) conference to be held at the National Instutute of Education (NIE), Maharagama from August 7 to 10. SLELTA, is a voluntary, non-profit association set up for the professional development of English teachers in Sri Lanka. Its current President is Dr., Hemamala Ratwatte, Senior Lecturer in English at the Open University of Sri Lanka, SLELTA officials said.

The keynote speaker at the conference is Prof. Penny Ur, the author of many ELT books used as text books in teacher education programmes world-wide. The plenary speakers include Prof. Jo LoBianco, the Associate Dean of Education, University of Melbourne, Prof. R. Raheem, Director Post-Graduate Institute of English, Sri Lanka, Dr. Lesley Opp-Beckman from the USA, Dr. Dushyanthi Mendis, University of Colombo and Dr. Hemamala Ratwatte.

The featured speakers will include Prof. Sabiha Munsoor from Pakistan, Dr. Devi Gopala Krishnana and Dr. Rajeevan Karaal from India, Ms. Gill Westaway, Director, British Council, Colombo and Wilfred Perera, NIE.