December 13, 2015

Mr. Y.K. Sinha, High Commissioner of India, visited Northern Province from December 10-11, 2015. He held wide ranging discussions with various dignitaries including Mr. H.M.G.S. Palihakkara,Hon'ble Governor of Northern Province, Justice C.V. Wigneswaran, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Northern Province, Mr. K. Sivagnanam, Chairman Northern Provincial Council, Mr. Thavarajah, Leader of Opposition, Northern Provincial Council and Dr. Sathiyalingam, Minister of Health and Indigenous medicine, to assess on the ground the impact of Government of India’s aid projects and to understand local priorities and requirements with respect to development assistance. 

Foundation stone laying for Faculties of Agriculture and Engineering, Kilinochchi

The High Commissioner of India and the Hon'ble Governor jointly laid the foundation stone for establishment of the Centre for Skill Development ofthe Faculty of Agriculture; and the Civil and Mechanical Engineering complex of Faculty of Engineering, Kilinochchi campus, University of Jaffna on December 11, 2015. Mr. A. Natarajan,Consul General of India-Jaffna, Prof. Ms. Vasanthy Arasaratnam, Vice Chancellor of University of Jaffna, and other senior officials were also present during the occasion.

As part of its development partnership with Sri Lanka in the field of higher education, the Government of India is undertaking projects to establish a Centre for Skill Development for the Faculty of Agriculture; and a Civil and Mechanical Engineering block of Faculty of Engineering at the Kilinochchi Campus of the University of Jaffna, at a total cost of SLR 600 million. The projects include building construction as well as supply of equipment and furniture, in addition to training and curriculum development. 

The objective of the projects is to create infrastructure facilities in order to provide a conducive learning environment for students, increase student intake, and enhance knowledge and skills of both lecturers and students in the field of agricultural sciences and engineering. The project is being implemented in close consultation with the Ministry of Higher Education of Sri Lanka.

Construction of buildings as well as provision of equipment and furniture is expected to be completedby September 2016. 

Handing over of 200 bed ward complex at District Hospital, Vavuniya

The High Commissioner and Mr. Faizal Cassim,Deputy Minister of Health and Indigenous medicine jointly handed over the 200 bed ward complex in Vavuniya on December 11, 2015 and declared open to the people of the region. Mr. K. Sivagnanam, Chairman, Northern Provincial Council, Dr. Sathiyalingam, Hon’ble Minister of Health and Indigenous medicine, Northern Province, Hon’ble Members of Parliament representing Vanni, members of Northern Provincial Council, Mr. Anura Jayawickrama, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Indigenous medicine and Mr. A. Natarajan, Consul General of India-Jaffna were also present during the occasion.

The Government of India has constructed a four-storey 200-bed Ward Complex in the District Hospital, Vavuniya. The Project has been implemented under full grant assistance of the Government of India amounting to SLR 187 million. This complex aims to improve the existing infrastructure of the Hospital and fulfill the medical care needs of in-patients admitted to the Hospital from Vavuniya and adjoining districts. Government of India is also undertaking a project to procure medical equipment and furniture for the ward complex, as a second phase, at a cost of SLR 100 million. 

Inauguration of Government of India funded Language Lab in Jaffna and an India Corner at Jaffna Public Library

During the same visit, the High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka, Shri Y.K. Sinha, also inaugurated an English Language Lab in Kopay, Jaffna on December 10, 2015 at a function held at Jaffna National College of Education and an "India Corner" at the Jaffna Public Library on December 11, 2015.

High Commissioner to Northern Province - Sinhala Veriosn

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