Engineers laud President, UPFA on victory

It is evident that our island nation after 33 years, has found a politically stable Government with an absolute majority.

We are now on the threshold of entering a golden era of economic prosperity and a long awaited national integration and reconciliation process, said Eng. (Dr.) Dharmasiri De Alwis, President of the Institution of Engineers of Sri Lanka (IESL) in a congratulatory message to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the UPFA.

It said: "In the aftermath of this epoch-making victory, we greatly appreciate the timely advice given by you to Members of Parliament (MPs), urging them to repay the people who did their duty by the country. You had impressed on the MPs, the need of their dedicated services, in bringing to fruition, the fruits of development that is harboured in the hearts of the people.

This per se, is ample evidence that you have fully understood the doubly onerous task of delivering the goods.

We, the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL), the apex body representing the engineering fraternity of the land, are the proud heirs to the great engineering tradition and the pristine glory of our ancestors.

It is in this backdrop that we fervently request to you to protect the indigenous engineering profession and expertise, when formulating positive policies and strategies, for the accelerated mega infrastructural development projects of the country, as envisioned in the highly-acclaimed Mahinda Chintana Idiri Dekma program.

The IESL is confident that these aspects will gradually swing around favourably for the long-term, benefit and betterment of the local engineering community and our motherland as well, within the novel patriotic, political culture which you have created and nurtured.

Having great expectations and promise for the future, we presume that our membership will obtain the right and the privilege to play a active role in the mega development plans of Sri Lanka."