Jaffna Agriculture Faculty to open in Kilinochchi next month

September 11, 2012, 9:56 pm , The Island

By Dilanthi Jayamanne

The Agricultural Faculty of the Jaffna University would commence next month at Ariyavil City, Kilinochchi and the Engineering Faculty there would commence next year, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development (TISED) Douglas Devananda had told a discussion at the Agriculture Faculty last week.

The Minister’s media spokesman Nelson Edirisinghe said that Devananda had held several discussions with the relevant heads of faculties of the Jaffna University to iron out issues which needed to be addressed. It was revealed, during discussions, that the Government Agent of Kilinochchi had received two tractors to be utilised for providing drinking water and other services prior to commencing studies at the Agricultural Faculty. Water tanks and water pumps had been purchased with the Rs. 400,000 provided by the TISED Ministry.

Edirisinghe said that the Indian Government was keen on commencing the faculty of Agriculture in Jaffna as well and had assisted by providing funds for the purpose. Minister Devananda also urged relevant demining agencies to expedite their work in the area. A massive student shramadana had also been organised to clean up the premises for next month’s opening.

The Minister has also urged sectional heads of the University to explore the possibilities of commencing an Engineering Faculty temporarily within the city next year. Edirisinghe said that the Minister had visited the Mahadeva Children’s Ashram building complex to explore the possibilities of temporarily housing the Engineering Faculty within it. The government would allocate funds for the new Engineering Faculty.