Information, Media, Higher Education, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena yesterday said that the government will soon begin the construction of fully fledged university in Kotagala, Hatton for the benefit of students in the plantation sector who qualify for university entrance.

Minister Dr. Gunawardena made these remarks when he visited Kotagala along with Minister Arumugam Thondaman to inspect the land which has been earmarked for the construction of the new university.

He said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa pledged to build a new university for the benefit of children in the plantation sector to pursue their higher education in the run up of last Presidential election.

“Steps would be taken to fulfill the pledge made by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to the plantation sector people,” he said.

The Minister said the proposed university will introduce novel study courses in the field of bio technology, engineering technology and Information Technology on the directive of the President.

“A generation armed with cutting edge technology will emerge from the plantation sector with the commissioning of this new university,” he said.

The Minister also said the Thondaman Vocational Training Centre will also be upgraded to a University College status soon.

Dr. Gunawardena also added that students of all communities in the plantation sector will receive an opportunity to have a degree from a university which is established in their area itself.

“This university will introduce novel study courses through which those who pass out can receive gainful employment projects without participating in protests seeking for jobs,” he said.

He said that the President succeeded in fulfilling his pledge of granting employment to the graduates before the election.

Dr. Gunawardena also opined that the rifts developing in the United National Party will help the Government secure a 2/3 majority at the upcoming election.