Development strategies in science and technology significant:

Peace, solidarity and progress SDEF’s objectives

Text of the speech by Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne at the ceremonial sessions of the SAARC Diploma Engineers forum held in Colombo on July 30, 2011

It is a pleasure to be with you at the fifth convention and 10th meeting of Apex Body of SAARC Diploma Engineers Forum (SDEF). To coincide with this event, the 33rd annual sessions of the Institution of Incorporated Engineers of Sri Lanka (IESL) is also held, signifying the unity and cooperative spirit of the professionals in the engineering field.

I warmly welcome the delegates of SDEF to the conference and the annual sessions of IESL.

The delegates would undoubtedly benefit in the deliberations at the conference and the close interactions that would take place with each other.

The foreign delegates, I am certain, would find their stay in this beautiful country memorable, enjoyable and rewarding.

Development projects

It is fortuitous and salutary that these important events of SAARC region take place in Colombo at a time when Sri Lanka’s President, Mahinda Rajapaksa heads the SAARC main body.

I understand that the first convention and the meeting of the Apex body of SDEF which unites more than 2.3 million diploma engineers under its umbrella was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh in 1988. The aim and objectives of SDEF are manifold.

While the SDEF looks forward, as its primary objective, to the professional improvements of its members, it also contributes to the alleviation of poverty and uplifting of the living standards of the region.

Technological innovations and strategies

They accomplish these tasks by actively participating in development projects and programmes implemented in their respective countries.

The active involvement of members of SDEF in the developmental work of member countries had helped maintain social and economic sustainability, peace and unity among the people in the SAARC region.

Thus the objectives of SDEF are in line with the SAARC principals on peace, solidarity and progress of the region.

We look forward to the continuation of these laudable objectives of SDEF for many more years to come.

The Convention of SDEF is of great significance at this time, when we urgently need developmental strategies in science and technology in keeping with the trends of the new century.

The technological innovations and strategies developed in this area will be useful tools for the countries in the SAARC region to overcome the challenges and changes they face in the future.

I am sure the highly talented professionals, who are participating in this conference will be able to pool together their knowledge and experience to devise plans and strategies to enhance and develop further the engineering field of the region.

I am happy to note that members of SDEF are already involved in the exchange of technical information and research among the member countries in such areas as, agriculture, power, forestry, mineral resources, water and human resource development.

It is appropriate at this moment to mention the immense contribution of the Sri Lanka engineers for the economic and social advancement of this country, since Sri Lanka gained its independence in 1948.

Employment opportunities

The Sri Lankan engineers have been actively involved in almost all small and large-scale infrastructure developmental projects in the country.

Large-scale irrigation and agriculture projects, hydroelectricity, railways, transportation projects have been undertaken, by the Sri Lankan engineers and have completed them with commendable success.

It was only during the period that the country was badly affected by a terrorist insurgency that the country’s economic development was retarded close to three decades.

During that period the engineering fraternity in the country contributed their share unabated in the developmental work in the country.

With the defeat of terrorism the country has now embarked on many ambitious development projects encompassing the whole country that would contribute to the economic growth of the country thereby reducing poverty, creating more employment opportunities and uplifting the living standards of the people.

The Diploma Engineers of SAARC region, including the Incorporated Engineers of Sri Lanka, constitute a major section of the technically skilled personnel of the region, who can make a firm commitment and contribution towards the development of the region.

The conventions and annual sessions of these organizations would upgrade knowledge and skills and build unity among the engineers that would help them overcome many challenges collectively as professionals.

Before concluding my speech, I wish to assure the SAARC Diploma Engineers Forum and the Institution of Incorporate Engineers of Sri Lanka that they will receive the unstinted cooperation and assistance of our government to pursue their goals and objectives for the betterment of the region.

I wish all success in the deliberations of the Convention and SDEF.