Agri faculty in Kilinochchi

by Uditha KUMARASINGHE

The Higher Education Ministry has decided to establish agriculture and engineering faculties for the Jaffna University, within a building complex and 400 acres of land plot at Araviyanagar, Kilinochchi retrieved from the clutches of LTTE terrorists.

Following a request made by Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake, the Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha has pledged to grant Rs. 500 million from the Indian Government for the construction of the two faculties, a Higher Education Ministry spokesman told the Sunday Observer.The Government also intends to spend Rs. 394 million for this project.

The Indian High Commissioner has also pledged to provide another Rs. 215 million to develop services and other facilities of these faculties such as library, laboratories, furniture and other facilities, he said.

The Indian High Commissioner has made this assurance following a visit made to Araviyanagar area in Kilinochchi to inspect the proposed site of the university with Ministers S.B. Dissanayake, Douglas Devananda and the Deputy Chairman of Committees of Parliament Chandrakumar Murugesu. Higher Education Ministry Secretary Dr. Sunicl Jayantha Nawaratne and Vice Chancellor of Jaffna University Prof. Vasanthi Arasaratnam also graced the occasion.