‘Kelani Shakthi’ program making Jaffna District’s youth skilled electrical technicians extended till

Kelani Cables Plc extended its leading ‘Kelani Shakthi’ professional development CSR program for electrical technicians in the Jaffna peninsula by three years. 

The decision was mutually taken by Kelani Cables Plc and Jaffna University based on the huge success of the program and its timely importance. 

The MOU with regard to the extension of ‘Kelani Shakthi’ was signed by Kelani Cables Plc Director/CEO Mahinda Saranapala and Jaffna University Vice Chancellor Prof. R. Vigneshwaran, at Jaffna University’s Engineering Faculty.

The one-year comprehensive program conducted at Jaffna University’s Engineering Faculty bestows electrical technical skills on school leavers and novices in Jaffna, offering them thorough knowledge in domestic and industrial electrical wire laying. 

An internationally recognised certificate is awarded to each participant at the end of the program by the Jaffna University Engineering Faculty. 

The ‘Kelani Shakthi’ professional development program was initiated in 2014 by ‘Kelani Shakthi’ and ‘Kelani Saviya’ Program Coordinator Jayantha Wijesinghe and Jaffna University Engineering Faculty Dean Prof. A. Athputhrarajah with the blessings of Saranapala.

The MOU was initially signed in 2014 by Saranapala and Jaffna University Vice Chancellor Senior Professor Vasanthi Arsaratnam.

Over 50 qualified ‘Kelani Shakthi’ students from the 2015/16 and 2016/17 batches are currently serving as skilled electrical technicians in the Jaffna District. 

Saranapala, following the signing of the fresh MOU, stated: “Kelani Cables became the number one secure electrical and communication cable brand in Sri Lanka with the blessings of its people, thus the company is determined and bears responsibility to carry out meaningful CSR programs that elevate the status of Sri Lankan people.”

“Although Kelani Cables Plc engages in various CSR programs throughout the year, the ‘Kelani Saviya’ and ‘Kelani Shakthi’ CSR programs are unique to our company. School-leaving students and novices who aspire to become electrical technicians are offered an opportunity by ‘Kelani Saviya’ and ‘Kelani Shakthi’ to arm themselves with comprehensive knowledge in domestic and industrial wiring and installation. In addition, they are awarded a globally accepted certificate. As a Sri Lankan company, we are proud to be a part of this endeavour,” he added.

 “We are glad to see youth in the North, after successfully completing the ‘Kelani Shakthi’ program, serving as skilled electricians. That clearly indicates that the efforts of both parties to launch this program have paid dividends.”

Jaffna University Engineering Faculty Dean Prof. Athputhrarajah said Jaffna University, in collaboration with a business entity in the country, is conducting a program like ‘Kelani Shakthi’ for the first time in history and ‘Kelani Shakthi’ being conducted for six years continuously is a testament to its success.

The design of the ‘Kelani Shakthi’ program content and conducting of the program and exams are monitored by Prof. Athputhrarajah. The program is coordinated and conducted by Prof. T. Thiruwaran, Course Coordinator and Head of the Electrical and Electronic Department, with lecturer A. Anopradeepan.

The occasion was also graced by Kelani Cables Plc Marketing General Manager Anil Munasinghe, Kelani Cables Plc Operations General Manager Upul Mahanama, Kelani Cables Plc Brand Development Manager Channa Jayasinghe, Kelani Cables Plc Exports Sales Manager Devinda Lorensuhewa and Kelani Cables Plc Sales Controller Ralph Roshan.

The Jaffna University Engineering Faculty was represented at the occasion by Dean Prof Athputhrarajah, Head of Electrical and Electronic Department Prof. Thiruwaran and lecturer Anopradeepan.