‘Kelani Shakthi’ bestows certificates to first batch of students

In a bid to groom youth in the Jaffna peninsula as electrical technicians, Kelani Cables PLC launched ‘Kelani Shakthi’ one-year professional development program. 
The first batch of students on completing this training program received their certificates at a function held at the Jaffna University engineering faculty in Kilinochchi. 
The occasion was graced by Senior Professor, Wasanthi Arsaratnam, Vice Chancellor of Jaffna University, Mahinda Saranapala, Director/CEO, Kelani Cables PLC, Dr. A Athpothurajah, Dean, engineering faculty of Jaffna University, Anil Munasinghe, General Manager, Marketing, Kelani Cables PLC and T. Thiruwaran, course director, ‘Kelani Shakthi’. 
Fifty school leavers who selected electrical technical field as self-employment were bestowed with internationally recognized certificates to endorse their know-how in domestic and industrial electrical wire laying. The event was organized by the Jaffna University Engineering Faculty. 
This coincided with the selection of 50 students by short listing thousands of applications as the second batch of ‘Kelani Shakthi’.
‘Kelani Shakthi’ professional development program was innitiated by ‘Kelani Saviya’ and ‘Kelani Shakthi’ program coordinator, Jayantha Wijesinghe and Jaffna University Engineering Faculty Dean, Dr. A. Athpothurajah with Kelani Cables PLC Director/CEO, Mahinda Saranapala.
Presentation of certificates to the first batch of students was graced by Channa Jayasinghe, Brand Development Manager, Devinda Lorensuhewa, Sales Manager (exports), Rohana Wadduwage, Sales Manager (power and energy), Ralph Roshan, Sales Controller, Gihan Vidanagama, Human Resources Manager, K A Rajkumar, Zonal Sales Manager and P M K de Silva, Assistant Sales Manager with the senior management of Kelani Cables PLC.
Mahinda Samarasinghe, Director/CEO, Kelani Cables PLC stressed at the event, although Kelani Cables engages in various CSR programs throughout the year, ‘Kelani Saviya’ and ‘Kelani Shakthi’ CSR programs are unique to the company. 
He said, “School leaving students and novices who aspire to become self-employed electrical technicians are given an opportunity by ‘Kelani Saviya’ and ‘Kelani Shakthi’ to gear themselves with a comprehensive knowledge in domestic and industrial electrical wiring laying 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. I wish these youngsters for a bright future with this newly gained knowledge. ‘Kelani Shakthi’ program would also add a great impact towards nurturing cordial relationships and brotherhood with the people in North.”
The LLRC Report made to suggest reliefs for war-stricken populous in the North has identified and suggested forming government and private sector collaborative ventures of financial importance a must. ‘Kelani Shakthi’ program is perfectly in harmony with the parameters of these collaborative ventures suggested by the LLRC Report.   
The MOU in regard to ‘Kelani Shakthi’ was signed last year between Wasanthi Arsaratnam, Vice Chancellor, Senior Professor of University of Jaffna, and Mahinda Saranapala, Director/CEO, Kelani Cables PLC.
Wasanthi Arsaratnam, Vice Chancellor, Senior Professor of University of Jaffna, gracing the occasion said it should be the vested interests of Sri Lankan companies to contribute towards rejuvenating lives of youth in the North.
“The whole of North should pay gratitude to Kelani Cables for pioneering to fulfill this need. We are happy to announce Jaffa University will do the necessary value additions to make this a comprehensive program in the future”, she said.