Professor K. Pakeerathan, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Jaffna, stated that they express their gratitude that a longstanding aspiration of the Kilinochchi Campus of the University of Jaffna has become a reality through the efforts of the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
The event to commence the construction of the sluice gate, with Rs. 10 million allocated from the Provincial Specific Development Grant (PSDG) for Pulikkulam, was held this evening – on Wednesday, 30 September 2026. The Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, participated as the chief guest and ceremonially commenced the construction work of the sluice.
This initiative is being undertaken with the aim of providing a practical solution to the longstanding issues concerning Pulikkulam and creating a situation in which its water can be used for the faculties and agricultural lands of the Kilinochchi Campus of the University of Jaffna.
Speaking at the event held following the commencement of the sluice gate construction, Provincial Director of Department of Irrigation of the Northern Province T. Rajagobu stated that, Pulikkulam was constructed in 2008 and breached in 2009. He also noted that, although rehabilitation work commenced in 2017 and was completed in 2019, the tank had not been provided with a spillway or sluice up to then and it had subsequently not been possible to proceed with the next phase of work.
He stated that the construction of the sluice gate at present would enable the construction of a canal as the next step and make it possible to use the water from the tank, thereby creating an opportunity to supply water to the faculties of the University of Jaffna in Kilinochchi and to agricultural lands.
He further stated that significant benefits could be obtained by raising the height of the tank, which currently has a capacity of approximately 210 acre-feet, by another two and a half feet and increasing its capacity to 1013 acre-feet and that approximately Rs. 355 million may be required for this purpose. He also pointed out that the necessary approval from the Department of Forest Conservation would have to be obtained.
Speaking on the occasion, Mullaitivu District Secretary A. Umamaheswaran noted that the dispute concerning Pulikkulam had continued during the District Coordinating Committee meetings held in 2023 and 2024.
In this situation, he stated that a discussion had been held under the chairmanship of the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, at the Kilinochchi District Secretariat, with himself also invited to find solutions to the issues concerning Pulikkulam.
He further stated that following that discussion, constructive decisions had been taken, including developing Pulikkulam through the Provincial Irrigation Department, supplying water to the faculties of the University of Jaffna in Kilinochchi and meeting the water requirements of farmers and that today the foundation had been laid to implement those decisions.
Speaking on the occasion, Clean Sri Lanka Task Force Kilinochchi District Coordinator M. Mohan assured that the obstacles that may arise between departments in carrying out the development work of Pulikkulam would be removed and that the necessary full cooperation would be provided.
Northern Provincial Ministry of Agriculture Secretary S. Sivasri noted that agriculture is the backbone of the economy of the Northern Province and stated that the Faculty of Agriculture located at the Kilinochchi Campus of the University of Jaffna is an important resource for the development of the agricultural sector in the province.
He stated that the Provincial Ministry of Agriculture had already begun working jointly with the Faculty of Agriculture and that its cooperation could be further strengthened by the Provincial Council fulfilling the needs of the Faculty.
Addressing the event, Hon. Governor of the Northern Province N. Vethanayahan recalled that he had visited this area as far back as 2003, when he was serving as the Additional District Secretary of Kilinochchi District. He also noted that he had come to the area at that time to investigate a complaint that trees were being destroyed in the area.
‘The area I came to then to investigate a complaint, I have come to today to commence action to fulfil the needs of the Kilinochchi Campus of the University of Jaffna’ the Governor stated, emphasizing the need for universities to work in partnership with the community beyond their educational activities.
In this regard, the Governor stated that the three faculties at the Kilinochchi Campus have been working closely with the Northern Provincial Council and similarly, the University of Vavuniya has also been working together with the community.
The Governor noted that there had been many lift irrigation schemes in the Vanni region in the past and that, after they were destroyed by the war, many farmers shifted to paddy cultivation. He stated that, as paddy cultivation does not always provide high profits, farmers can obtain additional income through alternative crop cultivation.
Accordingly, the Governor also noted that the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Jaffna should play an important role in bringing about the necessary changes in farmers’ cultivation practices and introducing high-value crop cultivation methods.
The Governor stated that funding was not an obstacle to the development of Pulikkulam and noted that the funds received by the Provincial Council were two or three times greater than what could be handled by its staff.
However, he stated that further development of the tank depended on approvals from certain departments, particularly the approval of the Department of Forest Conservation and assured that action would be taken to obtain all necessary approvals and soon meet the full water requirements of the Kilinochchi Campus as well as the water requirements of farmers.
Through this initiative, the water resources required for the educational and practical training needs of the Kilinochchi Campus of the University of Jaffna will be strengthened, while an opportunity has also been created to benefit farmers.
Mullaitivu District Secretary A. Umamaheswaran, Northern Provincial Ministry of Agriculture Secretary S. Sivasri, Provincial Irrigation Department Director T. Rajagopu, Clean Sri Lanka Task Force Kilinochchi District Coordinator M. Mohan, Deans of the University of Jaffna, professors, lecturers, Deputy Director of Irrigation for the Kilinochchi Region, Coordinator to the Chairman of the Kilinochchi District Coordinating Committee, university students and many others participated in the event.
