A Comparative Study of the Language Policies in Education in Sri Lanka and India

Language policies play a pivotal role in shaping a country's education system, especially in defining the medium of instruction across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. These policies are formulated by central governments and policy - making bodies, and are often enshrined in constitutional provisions. The effective execution of these language policies is important to the functionality of education systems in the respective countries. This study conducts a comparative analysis of educational language policies in Sri Lanka and India, with a particular focus on their development, implementation, and socio – political underpinnings. Accordingly, this study   provides an overview of the broader language policy landscapes in both countries, focusing on decisions related to educational language policies. Utilizing a literature review methodology, this research explores major themes such as educational language policies, language planning, language contact, meta – linguistic knowledge, and the diffusion of English. Thematic analysis reveals similarities and divergences between the two nations. These themes reflect a convergence of trends between Sri Lanka and India. Nonetheless, this comparative study reveals shared factors about the implementation of language policies in their education systems. In conclusion, the study highlights India’s significant influence on Sri Lanka’s language policy landscape and emphasizes the importance of critically examining language policy to understand its broader implications in education.