President highlights role of engineers in Sri Lanka’s future development

President Ranil Wickremesinghe 

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday called on the engineering community to lead the charge towards a dynamic and sustainable future In a compelling address at the 117th anniversary celebration of the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka, he articulated the critical role that engineering expertise will play in propelling Sri Lanka towards global competitiveness across various industries. 

Wickremesinghe’s vision encompassed a strategic shift towards a digital economy over the next decade, championed by the collective efforts of the country’s engineers. He highlighted their significance in enabling this transformation, stressing the critical need for engineering skill sets. 

One of the President’s standout propositions was the exploration of green hydrogen exports, a potential game-changer for Sri Lanka’s economic landscape. 

He underscored that engineers would be at the forefront of this endeavour, driving innovation and sustainability. 

Not one to overlook the importance of engineering technology, President Wickremesinghe made it clear that progress in these areas would be challenging without advancements in this critical domain. He urged for an amplified focus on developing engineering talent to meet the forthcoming demands. 

Addressing the shortage of human resources crucial for technological advancement, the President advocated for the elevation of technical education and vocational engineering skills. 

He revealed the Government’s intention to unveil innovative solutions in this regard during the upcoming Budget. 

President Wickremesinghe’s forward-thinking approach extended to the modernisation of the Agriculture Ministry. 

He stressed the need for a well-defined ministerial structure and expressed interest in seeking external guidance from successful models in countries like Thailand and Malaysia. 

In an ambitious move, the President outlined plans to harness previously unused lands, particularly in the Mahaweli region and plantations, covering an extensive area of up to a million acres. This development aligns with the broader goal of revitalising the agricultural sector. 

The consolidation of various agriculture research institutes into a comprehensive institution named the University for Agricultural Technology was among the President’s proposed measures. This integrated approach aims to bolster education in both agriculture and engineering, fostering a holistic modernization of the sector. An historic announcement came with the President’s decision to merge the plantation industries and agriculture sectors, two entities separated since 1970. President Wickremesinghe elaborated on the historical context and underscored the imperative of modernising the agricultural landscape. 

President Wickremesinghe extended an open invitation for collaboration and input from the Institution of Engineers, emphasizing their pivotal role in shaping Sri Lanka’s future. 

He commemorated the rich history of engineering feats in the country, including milestones like the construction of the Kandy road and the expedited completion of the Mahaweli program. 

Meanwhile, the once-in-a-lifetime Visvalingam Award was presented to Engineer K. L. S Sahabandu by President Wickremesinghe.

Sri Lanka Engineering Council Chairman Tilak De Silva presented a trilingual edition of the ‘Handbook for Electricians’ to President Wickremesinghe while IESL President Dr. Kamal Laksiri presented a commemorative gift to President Wickremesinghe.

State Minister of Information Technology Kanaka Herath, MP Prof. G.L. Peiris, Dr. Kamal Laksiri, Sri Lanka Institute of Engineering Chairman Prof. Maithri Panagoda and others attended this event.