For the first time the farmer community had been provided with an opportunity to enroll in an agriculture course in collaboration with the University of Jaffna, which commenced on October 9, at the Agriculture Faculty.
The Daily News Business exclusively reported on July 17, 2017, that co-initiator and coordinator Jayantha Wijesinghe of the Kelani Saviya ( University of Peradeniya ) and Kelani Shakthi (University of Jaffna), a joint skill development CSR program launched in 2007 and 2014 respectively, with Kelani Cables Plc, held talks with the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna, Professor Thushanthy Mikunthan, to launch a similar program for the farmer community in Jaffna. This program became a reality on October 9, at the Faculty of Agriculture under the patronage of Acting VC Professor G. Mikunthan, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture Dr. T. Sooriyakumar, former Dean and Designer of the Farmer Machinery Management Course Prof. Thushanthy Mikuthan, Dean, Faculty of Engineering Prof. A. Athpothurajah and senior Faculty members of the University, together with program sponsors Kelani Cables Plc, including Director /CEO Mahinda Saranapala, GM Marketing Anil Munasinghe, GM Operations Upul Mahanama, AGM Marketing Davinda Lorenzuhewa, Manager HR Sameera Jayawardena, Sales Controller Ralf Roshan, Manager Project, Rohana Wadduwage and the initiator of the CSR Jayantha Wijesinghe.
There were 60 young farmers selected from the five districts of the Northern Province for the certificate course in farmer machinery management. The course consists of five modules including identification and observation of internal combustion engines, power measurements of internal combustion engines, dissembling and assembling of engine components, fault identifications and rectification and land preparation, using 2W and 4W tractors.
The Governor Northern Province Dr. Suren Raghawan, who was a co-sponsor of the Public- Private partnership CSR project, delivering his speech via Skype, said the day was important not only for the University, society and farmers, but also for the agriculture sector of the Northern Province. The Governor predicted that a time would come when farmers would be questioned on their university in which they have pursued their education. Dr. Raghawan emphasized that food security is of utmost importance and that it plays an important role in the sustenance of a society.
Director/ CEO Mahinda Saranapala said that although the farming industry is not relevant to their line of business, had however, decided to offer their financial assistance to initiate and run the program for the first time in Sri Lanka, in the similar vein of Kelani Saviya and Kelani Shakthi CSR projects, which are continuing since 2007 to date. The Governor appreciated the efforts of the Course Coordinator Wijesinghe, for his initiative action and the new concept of non formal education system for the young farmers to enhance their knowledge and skills from national universities.
The key note address was delivered by acting VC Professor G. Mikunthan, who thanks to the Governor, Northern Province Dr. Suren Raghawan and Kelani Cables PLC Director/CEO Mahinda Saranapala and the Management team of the Kelani Cables PLC.
 |
| Kelani Cable Plc officials, University dons and farmers at the launching ceremony. |
Add new comment