Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna has conducted Prof. Somasundaram Kandiah Memorial Lecture for the first time to remember and appreciate the dedicated service of its first Dean Prof. S. Kandiah on 21st September 2022 at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Agriculture in Ariviyal Nagar, Kilinochchi. Prof. Buddhi Marambe, Senior Professor in Crop Science, University of Peradeniya has delivered the memorial lecture on the title of “Reviving Sri Lanka’s Agriculture – A Herculean Task Ahead”, a timely talk to the present context of Sri Lankan agriculture. The memorial lecture was graced by Prof. S. Srisatkunarajah, Vice Chancellor, University of Jaffna, Prof. P. Balasundarampillai, former Vice Chancellor, University of Jaffna, Prof. S. Mohanadas, former Vice Chancellor, University of Jaffna and Chancellor, University of Vavuniya, Prof. S. Rajadurai, former Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna and Mr. K. Menan, son of Prof. S. Kandiah. Initally, Prof. Rajadurai shared his memories with late Prof. Kandiah and highlighted the challenges during those initial days after the establishment of the faculty in 1990’s. Then, the Vice Chancellor remembered the dedicated services of late Prof. Kandiah and introduced the speaker, Prof. Marambe to the forum and invited him to deliver the memorial lecture. Finally, Dr. S. Vasantharuba, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture highly appreciated Prof. Marambe for agreeing to deliver Prof. Kandiah memorial lecture and acknowledged the guests for gracing the event, invitees, and participants. The lecture was well attended by Professors, Senior Lecturers, Lecturers, non-academic staff, students and other invitees. Dr. (Mrs.) Loha Pradheeban, Head, Department of Agronomy, Mr. K. Jeyavanan and Dr. R. Eeswaran, Senior Lecturers from the Department of Agronomy were instrumental in organizing this first memorial lecture with the support of the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Academic and Publications Division of the university and other staff members of the faculty.
