Maharouf appointed NEPC Agriculture Secretary

[TamilNet, Thursday, 27 October 2005, 23:33 GMT]
Mr. A.R.M.Maharouf, an experienced agronomist and Director at Socio-Economics and Planning Centre (SEPC), was appointed Secretary to the North East Provincial Ministry of Agriculture and Land with effect from October 26 by North East Provincial Governor Mr.Tyronne Fernando, at an event held at the provincial secretariat in Trincomalee town Wednesday evening.

Currently the Chief Secretary is Mr.S.Rangarajah, Mr.R.Thiayakalingam Provincial Education Ministry Secretary, Mr.V.S.Swaminathan Provincial Rehabilitation and Social Welfare Ministry Secretary and Mr. L.C.Siriwardene, Provincial Health Ministry Secretary.

The post of Provincial Ministry of Agriculture and Lands fell vacant as Mr.P.Ramanathan relinquished his office to accept an appointment in a UN agency.

"Sri Lanka's President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge wanted to appoint a Muslim officer as one of the secretaries of the NEPC and her desire was fulfilled with the appointment of Mr.Maharouf," said Mr.Tyronne Fernando speaking at the event.

The eastern province is blessed with land and other natural resources in plenty. The new secretary has an important task to utilize these resources for the development of the province, said Mr.Tyronne Fernando.

Mr.Maharouf thanked the Governor and the President for appointing him as a Secretary to the NEPC. "I studied at Vaddukoddai Jaffna College and entered the Peradeniya University from Jaffna College. I look forward to serve the province treating all communities alike," he said.

Mr.S.Rangarajah, Mr.S.Amirthalingam, Governor's Secretary and several other personalities participated in the event.

Mr.Maharouf who was born in Akkaraipattu in eastern province was an old boy of Akkaraipattu Central College, Colombo Zahira College and Jaffna College in Vaddukoddai. He obtained his degree in Agricultural Science from the Peradeniya University. He was awarded M.Sc. in Agricultural Engineering by the Post Graduate Institute of Agriculture in Sri Lanka and another M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics from Oregon University in USA.

Mr.Maharouf has 27 years experience in the Department of Agriculture performing duties in different capacities.

SEPC, which co-ordinates activities of new research and development for the Department of Agriculture, last year named Mr.Maharouf as the "Best Agriculturist of the Year 2004" and awarded a gold medal at the annual symposium of the Department of Agriculture held at Plant genetic Resource Centre located in Gannoruwa in the hill country.