‘Kelani Shakthi’ turns Jaffna youth into skilled electricians

The first batch of passed out students of ‘Kelani Shakthi’ has established themselves as professional electricians in the North. The success stories of them relate to the value of the joint CSR of the University of Jaffna and Kelani Cables PLC.

In a bid to groom youth in the Jaffna peninsula as electrical technicians, Kelani Cables PLC launched the ‘Kelani Shakthi’ professional development program in 2015 and the MoU of ‘Kelani Shakthi’ was signed in 2014 between Jaffna University Vice Chancellor/Senior Professor Vasanthi Arsaratnam and Kelani Cables PLC Director/CEO Mahinda Saranapala. 

The program was initiated to confer electrical technical skills in school leavers and self-employed persons in Jaffna and was inaugurated at the Jaffna University engineering faculty in Kilinochchi by Arsaratnam, Saranapala, Jaffna University Engineering Faculty Dean Dr. A. Athpothurajah and ‘Kelani Shakthi’ Course Director T. Thiruvaran.

The progress of the first batch of passed out students of ‘Kelani Shakthi’ came to light at a recent visit by co-initiator and coordinator of the ‘Kelani Shakthi’ skill development program, Jayantha Wijesinghe, on behest of Saranapala. 

Wijesinghe visited the Faculty of Engineering, University of Jaffna to collect firsthand information of the ‘Kelani Shakthi’ students who successfully completed the final examination in 2016. The meeting was arranged by Dr. Authpothraja, Dr. Thiruvaran and Kelani Cables Manager Brand Development Channa Jayasinghe.

Beneficiaries of ‘Kelani Shakthi’ program expressed their satisfaction at the meeting with the co-initiator and coordinator of ‘Kelani Shakthi’ who visited them. A driver by profession, S. Jeganathan, aged 40 and a father of two from Kilinochchi, said: “I followed ‘Kelani Shakthi’ program in 2015 and got through the exam in 2016 and obtained the certificate from the vice chancellor. I am still continuing my job as a driver, but after working hours and on holidays I do industrial and domestic wiring in the Kilinochchi area. There is a big demand for professional electricians in Jaffna and we have a wonderful opportunity to earn extra money. Therefore I’m very grateful to the ‘Kelani Shakthi’ program which paved the way for a life of comfort for me and my family.”

T. Jayakanthan, 30, living in Ponnagar, Jaffna, and a father of two, said: “Before I joined ‘Kelani Shakthi’ program I was employed at the University of Jaffna as a temporary worker in the Administration Department. In 2016 I got through the final examination at the ‘Kelani Shakthi’ program and obtained the certificate from the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jaffna. It was a great day in my life. I’m very thankful to Kelani Cables and the Faculty of Engineering for giving me this great opportunity to become a professional electrician in Jaffna. Now I’m so happy to say that I have a permanent job as an electrician in the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department, University of Jaffna. I’m very grateful to our lecturer Pradeepan and Dr. Thiru, our Course Director.”

S. Theneswaran, 25, living in Karainagar, Jaffna, said: “I was in the first batch of ‘Kelani Shakthi’ skill development program in 2015/2016. I got through my examination and obtained the certificate as a professional electrician. This certificate helped me to get a job in the Computer Division of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Jaffna as an electrician. Since we have a very good demand in Jaffna, as a qualified electrician I can earn more money during my holidays and after my working hours. I’m very thankful to Kelani Cables and University of Jaffna as well to the academic staff in the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department.” 

The ‘Kelani Shakthi’ professional development program was introduced by Wijesinghe and Dr. Athpothurajah with the blessings of Saranapala.

‘Kelani Saviya’ CSR program in association with the engineering faculty of the Peradeniya University has been progressing since 2007. ‘Kelani Shakthi’ program conducted by Jaffna University is an extension of the unique CSR ‘Kelani Saviya’.