IEPSL announces Eco-Convergence 2025 set for 27 March

IEPSL President Shiranee Yasaratne

IEPSL President-Elect Asela Iddawela

IEPSL Council Member and Chair – Marketing and Communication Committee Eng. Janaka Rathnakumara

From left: IEPSL Secretary Trishan Perera, IEPSL Founder, former President and Council Member Karunasena Hettiarachchi, President-Elect Asela Iddawela, President Shiranee Yasaratne, Council Member and Chair – Marketing and Communication Committee Eng. Janaka Rathnakumara, Immediate Past President Prof. Niranjanie Ratnayake and Senior Vice President Kanthi De Silva at the press conference of Eco-Convergence 2025 in Colombo – Pix by Ruwan Walpola 

• IEPSL declares March as IEPSL Month, with workshops, training programs, and awareness sessions held throughout the month to educate environmental professionals

By Divya Thotawatte 

The Institute of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka (IEPSL) recently announced its 17th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Annual Technical Sessions, ‘Eco-Convergence 2025,’ scheduled to be held on 27 March. 

This timely discussion on the latest developments in environmental conservation and sustainable development will be themed, ‘Empowering Environmental Professionals for a Sustainable Future.’ This prestigious event will bring together leading environmental professionals, policymakers, academics, and industry stakeholders to explore the importance of equipping professionals with the necessary knowledge, skills, and ethical standards to drive sustainable initiatives in the country. 

IEPSL President Shiranee Yasaratne said that Eco-Convergence 2025 would include three segments: The Annual Technical Sessions, the IEPSL AGM, and the Ceremonial Session. 

“We start with what we call our Annual Technical Sessions. These are for the members and invited participants. It will go on for about four or five hours where we talk about a topical issue with respect to the environment. This is followed by the AGM, which is a closed-door event for our membership. And then, we have a Ceremonial Session where we would love to have all of you there to share some of our major achievements with you.”

The Chief Guest and keynote speaker for the evening will be International Water Management Institute (IWMI) Director General Dr. Mark Smith, with over 25 years of executive leadership and management experience in water, climate change, and sustainability. He is set to speak on ‘Innovative Solutions for a Greener Future: Leveraging the Power of Water.’ 

A panel discussion, titled ‘Leveraging Technology and Innovation in Sustainable Development,’ will also be held alongside invited presentations on industry best practices titled ‘Harmonising Nature and Development.’ 

Yasaratne also highlighted that the IEPSL would be working to collaborate and contribute to the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative. 

“We are getting speakers from the Government and from the task force of the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative to speak to us a little bit about how a professional organisation like the IEPSL can actually support this campaign that is being spearheaded by the Government. We feel that institutes like ours, with an array of environmental professionals, should take a strong role in working on programs of this nature. This is one of the biggest areas that the Government is working on and we strongly feel that we should have a clear role to play.” 

As part of the programs, a high-level panel discussion will be held to explore the IEPSL’s potential contributions to the campaign. The event will also mark the official endorsement of the partnership between the IEPSL and ‘Clean Sri Lanka.’ 

In recognition of the importance of environmental awareness and action, the IEPSL has additionally claimed the month of March, celebrating various internationally recognised environmental days through dedicated activities, awareness programs, and engagements. These include:

• World Seagrass Day (1 March 2025) – International Webinar on 4 March collaboratively with the Environment Ministry
• World Wildlife Day (3 March 2025) – Webcast Panel Discussion via YouTube 
• World Recycling Day (18 March 2025) – Cross talk with waste handlers and service providers 
• International Day of Forests (21 March 2025) – Webinar on 12 March 
• World Water Day (22 March 2025) – Half-day program for selected environmental Pioneer Brigade students on 21 March 
• World Meteorological Day (23 March 2025) – Tree planting program 
• International Day of Zero Waste (31 March 2025) – International panel discussion 

Eco-Convergence 2025 is expected to attract a diverse audience, including Government officials, corporate leaders, academics, and young professionals passionate about environmental conservation. The event will serve as a platform for networking, exchanging ideas, and forging partnerships to drive impactful environmental solutions. 

The event is supported by Home Lands Skyline as Platinum Sponsor, with INSEE Ecocycle, CEMEC, and Rock Leaf Tea and Travel as Gold Sponsors, underscoring their commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. 

The IEPSL invites all stakeholders to be part of this milestone event and contribute towards shaping a more sustainable future for Sri Lanka. Further details on participation, agenda, and registration will be made available at www.iepsl.lk/EcoConvergence2025.

Established in 2006 through a Cabinet Paper and later incorporated by Act of Parliament No. 01 of 2020, the IEPSL is the foremost professional body dedicated to upholding the integrity of environmental practitioners in Sri Lanka. With a membership of over 1,000 professionals from diverse disciplines, the institute plays a pivotal role in environmental advocacy and the training and capacity-building of these professionals. 

The IEPSL’s activities are driven by dedicated standing committees, including Finance, Academic and Examination, Membership, Industrial Relations, Marketing and Communication, and Research and Publication, providing members with expanded opportunities for engagement, professional development, and leadership in environmental sustainability.