Engineers should lead development

Excerpts from the speech by Geethanjana Gunawardena, Deputy Speaker of Parliament on the occasion of the Induction of new President of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka on October 28.

"I take this opportunity to congratulate Engineer Lakdasa Taldena on his assumption of office as the President of the Institution of Engineers-Sri Lanka.

He has a long record of being in the profession both as a practitioner as well as a teacher. It is very encouraging to note that Engineer Taldena is held in high esteem not only by the engineering profession but by other professionals in Sri Lanka as well.

This is evident by the fact that he held office of President of the Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPASL). I am confident that his proven performance at OPA is a pointer to a successful tenure of office as President of the IESL. I take note of the fact that the Institution of Engineers of Sri Lanka had its humble beginnings as the Engineers' Association of Sri Lanka and established first in our ancient capital city of Anuradhapura a century ago.

One must not forget the courage and foresight of the pioneers of this Institution, who wanted a forum to discuss professional issues, particularly a platform to interchange knowledge and experience apart from facing other challenges devoid of luxuries in the capital. However, it is my view that this choice of venue is strikingly coincident in that Anuradhapura holds and exhibits some of the extraordinary engineering fetes in the world which is part of our proud Heritage.

I wish to emphasize that engineers of today should be at the forefront of the development of electronic communication networks for the realisation of the aspirations of the people.

As a professional body it is the responsibility of the IESL to propagate our kind and our lot. Towards this end I understand that you conduct classes enabling those wishing to join ranks to sit for professional examinations conducted by yourselves. I am wondering as to whether these opportunities are centred only in the capital city of Colombo or is available to the provincial aspirant wishing to enter into the profession in the provinces itself.

I am well aware that those who can impart knowledge in these areas are a few who themselves do this noble service part time amidst their regular occupation.

It is my bold suggestion that the Institution should think of having on line distance learning mechanisms so that such learning is simultaneously imparted in the provinces. It must be noted that the policy of the present government and the wish of President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is also a professional in another discipline, is to spread Information Technology throughout the country.

Therefore if the Institution contemplates to establish distance learning mechanisms and have on-line multimedia centres linking the provincial branches of the institution, would undoubtedly attract encouragement and assistance from the State.

I consider this move as a necessity because this would frequently remind all those concerned, even at the periphery, of the need to upgrade in keeping with the current acceptable standards and to be vigilant of the projects involved.