Country needs engineers more than ever - PM
Rasika Somarathna
Prime Minister D M Jayaratne called on the engineering fraternity to
make their profession even more prominent and important by their
dedicated contribution to post conflict reconstruction efforts.
At a time when the country was poised for rapid economic development
the country needed the services of its engineering fraternity more than
ever, he said inaugurating the 104th annual sessions of the Institution
of Engineers, Sri Lanka Thursday.
While praising their commitment and dedication to nation building
efforts so far, especially in the North and East, the Premier said that
the engineer had a greater role to play in the future, specially in the
context of Sri Lanka’s present situation.
“I am very proud of our engineers and grateful for services rendered
to the development of the country. We need them, need their expertise
and commitment and we will not forget their labour and hard work,” he
noted.
Since its humble beginnings in 1906, the IESL today has strengthened
to a body of 12,000, internationally recognized with its membership in
the engineers mobility forum and Washington Accord.
The annual junior inventor of the year competition and the ‘Techno
Exhibition’ are some of its significant events.
During Thursday’s inauguration the incumbent President-Elect and
officiating President Eng. Prof. A K W Jayawardene was inducted as the
new IESL President for 2010 and 2011.
In line with its 104th annual sessions the IESL held a symposium
Saturday based on the theme ‘post conflict development strategies for
Sri Lanka’.
The ‘presentation of papers’ by participants from the industry,
universities and other organizations associated with research will
follow on October 25 and 26 at the IESL.
The presentation of papers by the young members will be on October 29
at the IESL after the ‘Techno Awards Ceremony’ scheduled for October 28.
The annual sessions would conclude with the Annual General Meeting at
the IESL on October 30.
Thursdays inauguration of the 104th Sessions was also participated by
Ministers Patali Champika Ranawaka, Susil Premajayantha and Nimal
Siripala De Silva. The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Robert E
Loov, Emeritus Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Calgary,
Canada. |