Government is expected to enter into MoUs with the University of Illinois and Sivananthan Laboratories Inc. in USA for obtaining consultation and guidance on manufacturing of solar panels and to establish relevant research and training facilities in universities of Peradeniya, Jaffna, Ruhuna and Kelaniya.
Government's policy is to develop renewable energy resources (other than hydro) to 20% of total power generation by the year 2020. Accordingly, with the intention of assisting the rapidly developing solar power related industries, a group of about 2,000 students including university undergraduates and postgraduates from science, technology and engineering streams, vocational training colleges, former military veterans, and GCE A/L qualified high school leavers will be provided with hands-on advanced training for research and development of solar cells, manufacturing solar panels, and installation and services of solar power generation systems.
The proposal made by Minister of Science, Technology and Research Susil Premajayantha, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.