Engineers keep wheels of civilization turning - PM

By Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

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The Government is improving and expanding the country's infrastructure to provide a stable and secure life for its people. Engineers do play a vital role in this endeavour, said Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wikremanayake, the Chief Guest at the Engineering Excellence Awards ceremony at the Institution of Engineers on Friday.

He said engineers have contributed to the country's development and done remarkably well in several instances. Therefore, it was commendable that an award ceremony was held to recognise their talents and achievements. The Government was supportive of professions that make a contribution for growth and development of the country.

He said the engineering profession keeps the wheels of the modern civilisation turning. Although ancient builders were engineers they lacked academic qualifications. But their achievements were impressive and were recognised by international observers. In the present day scenario what is required is a sustainable development. Engineers who have grown up in an environment of freedom should also understand our cultural background, he said.

The Prime Minister said he attended several functions of the Institutions of Engineers of Sri Lanka in the past and was happy to be with them again.

President, Sri Lanka Institution of Engineers Ranjith Gunewardena said of the 70 per cent fuel used for electricity generation, 50 per cent is used for construction of buildings. Buildings constructed three decades ago used less electricity. Therefore architects should design buildings that use less electricity.

The main sponsor of the event was the Sri Lanka Telecom. The media sponsors were the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd, and the Rupavahini Corporation.