‘SL needs competent professionals’

264 out of 2,400 scientists employed in NASA are Sri Lankans :

Chaminda Perera

Sri Lanka needs professionals who are competent. All should change their mindset, if they want to see the country being turned into the hub of aviation, maritime, education, power and energy and knowledge in the region as envisaged by the government, Colombo Dockyard Chief Executive Officer Mangala Yapa said.

He was speaking at a ceremony to enrol students for the University of Vocational and Technology for 2013 - 2014 at the university.

Yapa , a marine engineer by profession, said competent and skillful professionals are the need of the hour. “The industrialists needs skillful workmanship to make their business success. They may have capital and infrastructure, but the high standard of workmanship is the most essential factor to make an industry a success,” he said.

Yapa said Sri Lanka has now identified the requirement of industrialists. “The University of Vocational Technology was established to fill this void of high standard workmanship, required for the development of the country,” he said.

Yapa said students have received an opportunity to take up this challenge and integrate their skills and knowledge for the country's development.

He said 264 out of 2,400 scientists employed in NASA are Sri Lankans.

Yapa said 12 percent of scientists working in NASA, are Sri Lankans though 12 percent of world population does not reside in Sri Lanka

“A 12 percent of university students in the world are not studying in Sri Lanka, but 12 percent of scientists in NASA represent Sri Lanka,” he said. Yapa said this achievement shows the high standard of education in Sri Lanka.