IESL New South Wales (Australia) Chapter donates books to Jaffna University E’ Faculty
The IESL New South Wales (Autralia)Chapter donated engineering books to the University of Jaffna at a simple handing over ceremony held at the university premises on 13th September, 2013. The books were officially handed over to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jaffna, Snr. Prof. (Ms) Vasanthi Arasaratnam by the President of the IESL, Eng. Tilak De Silva. It’s just this year that a Faculty of Engineering ( located in Kilinochchi ) have been added to the University of Jaffna. Chairmen of the IESL NSW Chapter, Eng. Kamal Fernando participated in the event via SKYPE However Eng. Kandiah Mahadeva of the NSW Chapter who meticulously selected the most useful books and coordinated its purchase in Australia and transfer to Colombo couldn’t participate in the event, even via SKYPE, due to prior commitments. The discussion that followed the hand over focused on wider cooperation between the IESL and the University of Jaffna. Eng. Shavindranath Fernando - President Elect of IESL, Eng. Arjuna Manamperi - Chairman, ICT Committee of IESL, Prof. K. Kandasamy - Professor of Physics , Prof. P. Balasuntharampillai - Emeritus Professor of Geography, both of the University of Jaffna also attended the event and participated in the discussion.
The event was facilitated by the IESL Northern Provincial Centre ( IESL NPC) which was represented at the event by its Chairman, Eng. N Suthakaran and Secretary, Eng. T. Barathithasan. They and other member engineers of the IESL NPC are among those largely involved with the university in the setting up of the new E’ Faculty.
The same day saw an IESL District Centre affiliated to the IESL NPC being opened in Mannar by the IESL President, Eng. Tilak De Silva. The event, attended by a large number of engineers in the region, was held at the Irrigation Department ( Central) Murugan, Mannar. Eng.A.Robert V.Peiris was elected as the Founder Chairman of the new centre while Eng. Consalasand Eng.A.Thevanand were elected respectively as Vice Chairman and Secretary.
President of IESL, Eng. Tilak De Silva and Chairman, ICT Committee of IESL, Eng. ArjunaManamperi graced the occasion with their presence. This is the 3rd such district centre to be established by the IESL under its policy of making its services easily accessible to members at the district level. The New Membership Management system launched recently by the IESL requires just a PC with internet connection for members to participate in the activities of the institution. Eng. Arjuna Manamperi made a comprehensive presentation on the use and benefits of the system. A presentation on “Water Resources Development in Mananr District with the Dawn of Peace” by Eng. S. M. A Nelugolla, Director of Irrigation- Mannar, Irrigation Department gave a brief but comprehensive perspective on water resources development taking place in the north.
Official ceremonies over, guests and invitees participated later in the night in a fellowship event held at the living quarters of the Irrigation Department. Incidentally the two buildings that are now used as living quarters for visitors and resident engineers had in the recent past served as a court house and administrative building for the LTTE in that area. To add finishing to the unique experience , guests, were treated to the tastes of experimental export quality fruits cultivated from a land that had not long ago been full of bombs and mines.
The credit goes to Eng. N. Suthakaran, Chairman – IESL Northern Provincial Centre and the Executive Committee for the successful establishment of the Mannar District Centre. To gether with Eng. N. Kirushanrooban of the Irrigation Department in the region, and his able team of young engineers the fellowship and hospitality to the guests that followed were superbly organised.