‘Kelani Shakthi’ empowers Jaffna youth

8 April 2015 03:04 am Views - 2072

In a bid to groom youth in the Jaffna peninsula as electrical technicians, Kelani Cables PLC has launched; Kelani Shakthi professional development program. 
The program that will bestow electrical technical skills within school leavers and self employed persons in Jaffna was inaugurated at the Jaffna University engineering faculty in Kilinochchi. 
The ceremony was graced by Vice Chancellor of Jaffna University, senior professor Vasanthi Arsaratnam, Kelani Cables PLC CEO Mahinda Saranapala, Dean of Jaffna University engineering faculty Dr A Athpothurajah and Kelani Shakthi course director T Thiruwaran. 
Fifty students were enrolled on the first day. The program will provide youth with a thorough knowledge in domestic and industrial electrical wire laying. An internationally recognized certificate will be awarded to each participant at the end of the program by the Jaffna University engineering faculty. 
Kelani Cables PLC, Sri Lanka’s champion brand of secure electrical and communication cables has been conducting the ‘Kelani Saviya’ CSR program in association with the engineering faculty of the Peradeniya University since 2007.
The program was designed to enhance skills of self employed electrical technicians and to groom school leavers to become electrical technicians. The only criterion to enroll with Kelani Saviya training program is to have GCE ordinary level qualifications. Kelani Shakthi is an extension of Kelani Saviya CSR program. 
Kelani Shakthi professional development program was introduced by program coordinator Jayantha Wijesinghe and Jaffna University Engineering Faculty Dean Dr Athpothurajah with the blessings of Kelani Cables PLC CEO Mahinda Saranapala.
The MOU in regard to Kelani Shakthi was signed last year between Jaffna University Vice Chancellor senior professor Vasanthi Arsaratnam and Kelani Cables PLC CEO Mahinda Saranapala.
Kelani Saviya the brainchild of Prof J B Ekanayake of Peradeniya University was commissioned in 2007 with the signing of the MOU between Peradeniya University former Vice Chancellor Prof S B S Abeykoon and Kelani Cables former managing director Hemantha Perera.
This is the very first time a local university has collaborated with a private sector entity to launch such a program. 
Kelani Cables PLC CEO said at the inauguration ceramony; “Although Kelani Cables engages in various CSR programs throughout the year, Kelani Saviya and Kelani Shakthi CSR programs are unique to our company. School leaving students and novices who aspire to become electrical technicians are given an opportunity by Kelani Saviya and Kelani Shakthi to gear themselves with a comprehensive knowledge in domestic and industrial wiring and installation. In addition, they are awarded with a globally acceptable certificate. We as a Sri Lankan company are proud to be a part of this endeavour.”
The inauguration of Kelani Shakthi career development program in Jaffna was also graced by; Kelani Cables general manager marketing, Anil Munasinghe, general manager operations; Upul Mahanama, Brand development manager Channa Jayasinghe, sales manager (projects) Palitha Ethulgama, sales manager (exports) Devinda Lorensuhewa, sales manager (power and energy) Rohana Wadduwage, Sales controler, Ralph Roshan, human resources manager, Gihan Vidanagama and senior management of kelani Cables PLC.
Kelani Cables PLC is a one hundred percent Sri Lankan company serving the nation for almost five decades manufacturing electrical and communication cables. 
The company achieved “Super Brands” status in the electrical and telecommunication sector in 2008 for professional supremacy it demonstrated in the sector.