India and Sri Lanka signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday (20), to upgrade the Thondaman Vocational Training Centre (TVTC), Hatton located in the Nuwara Eliya District.
The MoU was signed by the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and the Secretary, Ministry of Hill Country New Villages, Infrastructure and Community Development, Mrs. R. Nadarasapillai, at an event held at the High Commission of India, Colombo, with the participation of senior officials of the Government of Sri Lanka.
The upgradation of the Centre will be carried out with a grant of SLR 199 million from the Government of India. The project includes, construction of new infrastructure facilities viz. classrooms, IT lab, auditorium and retaining walls around the complex, as well as renovation of existing buildings.
The project also includes, the supply of machinery, equipment and tools for the new courses, furniture and vehicles.
A total of 500 Sri Lankan youth are expected to be trained as skilled workers suited to the job market, annually, with the completion of the project.
The project is in line with the Indian Government’s efforts to assist and cooperate with the Sri Lankan government, in the field of vocational training and skills development.