VOLUME 32 No.

01 SINCE 1990 OCTOBER 2021 ISSN 2279-2376

43rd ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF IIESL - 2021

CEREMONIAL OPENING: Le� to right Eng. Wimal Jayawardena (President Elect), Eng. T Senevirathne (PP), Eng. Kithsiri
Ko�age (PP), Eng. Senarath Rekogama (PP), Eng. Lionel de Silva (Hony. Treasurer), Eng. P Waidyasekara (Hony.
Secretary) and Presedent Eng, W D Fonseka.
The annual general mee�ng of 2021 of the Ins�tu�on of
Incorporated Engineers, Sri Lanka was held on 31st July
2021 as an on-line event for the first �me in the history of
IIESL, due to the prevailing COVID - Pandemic situa�on.
Eng. M R W Jayawardena was inducted as the 30th
President of the Ins�tu�on by the out-going President Eng.
W D Fonseka. The un�ring efforts during the planning
phase by the Council of Management, the Organizing
commi�ee led by the then President Elect Eng. Wimal
Jayawardena, advised by Eng. Senarath Rekogama (PP) and
the Chief Returning Officer Eng. Tissa Seneviratne and his
team, paved the way to a smooth event including on-line
vo�ng to elect office bearers for the session 2021/2022.
(Cont. Page 2)

KITI IRRIGATION DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

COMPLETES ACCREDITATION PROCESS
The Diploma in Irriga�on Engineering Programme
conducted by the Kotmale Interna�onal Training Ins�tute
– Irriga�on Water Management (KITI-IWM) produces the
Technical Officers required mainly by the Department of
Irriga�on and by other water sector ins�tu�ons. The
administra�on of KITI-IWM applied for a program
accredita�on. The successful accredita�on process
evaluated the strengths as well as the further Eng. Dr. T. A. G. Gunasekara, Chairman of the Accredita�on
Board of the IIESL presents the Accredita�on Report to
improvements needed for the program’s diploma holders Eng. G. D. F. U. Perera, Head of Ins�tute, KITI - IWM in the
to obtain a suitable membership class at IIESL. presence of the Preisdent & Immediate Past President on
(Cont. age ) (Cont. Page 2) st
21 October 2021
 IIESL Newsletter
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
SESSION - 2021/2022
It is a pleasure to send this message to the
first IIESL Newsle�er for the session
IMAGES FROM THE AGM -2021
2021/2022. I take this opportunity to
thank the membership for elec�ng me as
the President of IIESL for the session
2021/2022.
As we all know, this is the most challenging
period in our life�me, due to the Covid-19
pandemic situa�on and the present
economic situa�on in the country. If there
are challenges, it creates opportuni�es,
especially in the engineering field.
Hence, it is the �me to wake up and use
these opportuni�es for future
development and increase the
membership of IIESL, which will enhance
the strength of the Incorporated Engineer.
(From Page - 01)
October 2021
At present a real example of using
opportuni�es, is the use of the Zoom
pla�orm for discussions during the
pandemic.
Further, the dreams of the future of
Incorporated Engineers have become
promising, with the establishment of the
Engineering Council of Sri Lanka.
I hereby swear that I will put forward my
best effort to convert our dreams to a real
place for Incorporated Engineers in our
country and in the world, with the support
of all of you.
Eng. Wimal Jayawardhana
NDT, GCGI, FIIESL, IEng
President- 2021/2022

Top le�: New President Eng. Wimal Jayawardena taking an oath, crea�ng a
new tradi�on, Top right: Outgoing president Eng. W D Fonseka garlanding
the new president, Right: Compere Eng. Jagath Arawwawala (PP), the head
table and the backend support group from Sintech Technologies who hosted
the digital pla�orm for the on-line mee�ng and elec�ons.

KITI IRRIGATION DIPLOMA PROGRAMME … (From Page - 01)

Photograph on left - A�endees at the award of

Accredita�on Report to KITI-IWM, from le� to
right: Eng. Kamalnath Jinadasa (PP), Rtd. Prof.
Eng. Dr. Wasantha Wimalaweera, Eng. E A U
Hemachandra (Hony. Secretary), Eng. K.
Ariyawansa (Chairman, PPF), Eng. W D Fonseka
(IPP), Eng. Wimal Jayawardena (President), Eng.
Frankie Perera, Head of Ins�tute, KITI, Eng. Dr. T
A G Gunasekara (PP), Eng. Dr. Bhadranie
Thoradeniya and Eng. (Mrs.) Pushpa Jinadasa
(President Elect)

02
 EDITORIAL
IIESL Newsletter
EDITORIAL
A Call for Mind - Set Change !
In more than 50 years of the (3+ years) Engineering Diploma holders’
existence, we are facing the most challenging period with several looming
threats. Some of the threats are old ones which used to surface every now
and then depending on the decision-makers in the engineering ins�tu�ons.
Others are brand new challenges emerging due to the con�nuous
developments of policies and standards, both locally and interna�onally,
related to engineering educa�on and prac�ce. One needs to deeply
understand the many reasons behind these tough challenges. I wish to stress
that an understanding of all facets of the issue by all stakeholders is of
paramount importance to bring in a sustainable solu�on to the students and
alumni of these programmes, the industry, and the country alike.
We have been proudly safeguarding the names NDT, NDES and HNDE for the
past 3 to 5 decades. They were very valuable brand names, again not only in
Sri Lanka but also in many foreign lands. We were qualified to obtain
professional membership of the Ins�tute of Engineering Technicians UK un�l
the early 1990s. The most important change that took place at the �me was
the conversion of the parallel HND programmes in the UK to 3-year B. Eng.
Degrees while conver�ng the tradi�onal Engineering Degrees to M.Eng.
Degrees. Even though close followers of the UK in many aspects, Sri Lankan
educa�on providers of such programs did not follow their footsteps in this
instance. Unfortunately, the gravity of not keeping up with such changes and
developments in the interna�onal standards were not felt at the �me, as
there were only a very few B.Eng. (UK) graduates who returned to the
workforce in Sri Lanka.
The scenario has changed rapidly with the introduc�on of off-shore campuses
of foreign universi�es on our soil and the introduc�on of the GCE (A/L)
technology stream in an ad-hoc manner without giving due considera�on to
the exis�ng human resource balance in the engineering industry. The
technology stream may have many advantages elsewhere, but not in
tradi�onal engineering sectors. At least before embarking in such decisions
the authori�es should have considered giving recogni�on to the exis�ng long-
dura�on, well developed diploma programs, by conver�ng to bachelor’s
degree status as observed elsewhere.
The �mes have changed requiring a change in names and a change in the
mind-set. In fact, it is already late. We need to act fast with an overall deep
understanding of all impacts on all stakeholders. We do not belong to the
category who only look at their �ny compartments and propose ac�ons which
are detrimental to others, for the safety of self. We call for an efficient and
effec�ve ac�on plan based on a sound policy on engineering sector educa�on
and prac�ce, to train and gainfully employ all categories of human resources
needed by the engineering industry.
We call a change to the heavily and lovingly guarded names NDT, NDES and
HNDE. We want them to be recognized as Bachelor’s Degrees. This is not easy
either for proponents or opponents. Mind-set changes are roller-coaster
rides. This roller coaster ride should be fueled by the right-thinking people of
this country, be it alumni, other professionals, authori�es of government or
poli�cians. Be pa�ent and hold �ght, but we invite you to be the fuel un�l the
inevitable change happens.
Eng. Dr. Bhadranie Thoradeniya
EDITOR
HEAD OFFICE CITY OFFICE
Ins�tu�on of Incorporated Engineers, Sri Lanka Ins�tu�on of Incorporated Engineers, Sri
No. 27/B, Udumulla Road, Lanka
Ba�aramulla, Sri Lanka No. 490, Ocenica tower,6th Floor, Galle
Tel+94112887734 Fax:+94112887737 Road, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Email : iiesl@iie.lk , editor@iie.lk , Tel :+94114736708 Fax : +94114734298
Web. www.iie.lk, iiesl@iie.lk Email :inco@sltnet.lk Web. www.inco.lk
03
October 2021
editorial board – session 2021/2022
Eng. Dr. Bhadranie Thoradeniya (Editor)
Eng. M R W Jayawardena (President)
Eng. E A U Hemachandra (Hony. Secretary)
Eng. Sisira Walaliyadde (Fellow)
Eng. S.M.T.L. De Silva (Council Member)
Eng. W M S B Walisundara (Council Member)
MESSAGE FROM THE HONY. SECRETARY
SESSION-2021/2022
I would like to bring to the no�ce of our members, especially
Council Members of the Ins�tu�on of Incorporated
Engineers, Sri Lanka (IIESL), the importance of encouraging
newly passed out diplomates from all the ins�tu�on to get
their membership of IIESL. At present more than 1500
Engineering Diplomates have passed out from several
government ins�tu�ons but only a few of them obtain
membership. Newly passed out diplomates should be
educated about the importance of being registered in the
Engineering Council of Sri Lanka (ECSL) once they start
working as Engineering Prac��oners. ECSL registra�on is
possible only though the IIESL membership as only the IIESL
can present and register them in the ECSL.
The professional review of IIESL has been developed with a
robust methodology to defend the professional standards
of its corporate members. The Competency Demonstra�on
Report (CDR) is a major component therein. However, it is
noted that there are diplomates who have not taken ac�on
to upgrade themselves to the class of “Member” a�er
obtaining the membership class of “Associate Member”.
This may be due to their reluctance to write the CDR. As a
Professional Review panelist, I urge the associate members
and others who are eligible, to obtain the corporate
membership of IIESL. Producing a CDR gives any
professional a unique opportunity to reflect on one’s career
not just with a no�on of nostalgia but with self-pride which
results from being able to map experiences with the much
sought-a�er competencies of the profession.
Further, I would like to men�on that the importance of
obtaining due recogni�on of the “Incorporated Engineer” in
the industry as well as in the government sector and semi-
government sector has become a strong request made by
all Engineering Diplomates and Incorporated Engineers.
There should be a recogni�on for the cer�ficates issued as
“Eng. Dip.” and “Incorporated Engineer” by the ECSL as well
as government ins�tu�ons and in the society.
I hope that all office bearers and the Council of
Management of IIESL will be able to do some important
work during this session.
Eng. E. A. U. Hemachandra
HONY. SECRETARY
BRANCH OFFICE
Ins�tu�on of Incorporated Engineers, Sri Lanka
Central Province Branch
115, D-S. Senanayake Veediya, Kandy.
Tel : +94 81 2234129 3
Fax : +94 81 2236938
 IIESL Newsletter
why are most of the engineering diplomates and incorporated
engineers in sri lanka not satisfied with their jobs?
Eng. Thenuwan De Silva
Supervisory Manager (Permanent Way), Sri Lanka Railways
The Sri Lankan engineering industry can be categorized into
three main sectors: government, semi-government and private.
Most engineering diplomates are employed in these sectors
while some are entrepreneurs having their own engineering
firms. Fresh diplomates are well treated by some reputed
private companies, offering them numerous benefits including
a�rac�ve salaries. However, those who are recruited to the
government and semi government establishments through
compe��ve entry exams and rigorous interviews do not receive
the same privileges as in the private sector. Some common
factors which affect the fame of engineering diplomates who
are recruited as Foreman, Inspector, Superintendent, Research
Technologist, Supervisory Manager, Technical Officer,
Engineering Assistant etc. are;
1. There is no specific ini�al salary point for those who possess
3+ years na�onal engineering diplomas (NDT, HNDE or NDES).
Na�onal Salaries and Cadre Commission have s�ll not
recognized these programmes for their academic value and
status. Hence, they are mapped with the diplomas of 2-year
dura�on or with qualifica�ons of Na�onal Voca�onal
Qualifica�on level 5.
2. Engineering Diploma is not considered as an academic
qualifica�on. It is considered as a voca�onal qualifica�on
with tradi�onal GCE Ordinary Level and Advanced Level
qualifica�on in the physical stream.
3. It has not been compulsory to have a professional
qualifica�on along with a na�onal engineering diploma and
hence, eventually an engineering diplomate is not considered
a professional.
These three basic issues have further led to many problems in
promo�onal procedures. We shall take a quick look at some
common circulars issued by the Ministry of Public
Administra�on, such as 46/90 dated 30.10.1990 and later
amendments, which shows how to map other qualifica�ons
with na�onal engineering diplomas in the recruitment stage.
These were highly misused during the past thirty years among
government ins�tu�ons with various misinterpreta�ons, and
even promo�ons were challenged by non-engineering
diplomates. Another controversial circular is 02/2009 dated
06.02.2009 which compares salary codes with the incorpora�on
of the Na�onal Voca�onal Qualifica�on (NVQ). Both circulars
pave grievous injus�ce to na�onal engineering dipomates. In
the present circumstance engineering dipomates are recruited
parallel to persons who only possess GCE(A/L) or any
cer�ficates on par, as stated in the above circulars.
Establishment code is the common guidance to all public sector
employees, and it shows that the posi�on of an employee is
defined from (a) Ini�al salary step, (b) Increment value and, (c)
Last salary step. If any two of these are higher, it states that the
posi�on is higher. Here the diplomates have been subjected to
severe injus�ce in the past thirty years. Let us take the recent
example from Sri Lanka Railways. The technicians with lesser
academic qualifica�ons are given higher salary codes viola�ng
02/2009 circular which created many disputes. The posi�on of
04
October 2021
engineering diplomate is challenged with these recent salary
anomalies and resulted in a chain of strikes in Sri Lanka Railways
which is well known to all. Not only in railways but also in other
corpora�ons Engineering Diplomates are faced with similar
injus�ce for the past thirty years due to not having a proper
system to evaluate the engineering profession or engineering
educa�on.
As per guidelines of Salaries and Cadre Commission, employees
have been categorized based on the following criteria; (a) Entry
Qualifica�ons/Scheme of Recruitment (b) Promo�onal
Procedures (c) Nature of Du�es (d) Simplicity (e) Prac�cability
(f) Consistency/Compa�bility
Unfortunately, the engineering diplomates have not been
placed in the right posi�on considering the above factors by any
of the commissions appointed since its incep�on.
Employees under the Sri Lanka Engineering Service which is the
only service which represents Chartered Engineers and
Associate Engineers enjoy numerous benefits such as
professional allowance, duty free vehicle permits etc. Even
though engineering diplomates and Incorporated Engineers are
considered as engineering prac��oners of the Engineering
Council Sri Lanka, the aforesaid Salaries and Cadre Commission
has s�ll not recognized these engineering prac��oners.
Perhaps you may know about Assistant Medical Officers (AMO)
and Registered Medical Officers (RMO) who are commonly
known as medical prac��oners (unfortunately, their
recruitments were ceased in 1997), who are drawing higher
salaries with other remunera�on packages such as vehicle
permits. They are in the category of ter�ary level even though
they have to follow two and half year academic programmes
a�er they are absorbed to public service. Engineering
Diplomates a�er three to four year full �me diplomas are
absorbed to secondary level which is lower than ter�ary level,
whereas Engineers are absorbed to Execu�ve Level. The
‘technicians’ who have followed academic programmes of
lesser dura�on and content are also in the secondary level
which creates lot of dispari�es amongst hierarchical order.
At present, engineering diplomates in government service draw
higher salary bands than in the semi government sector which
is also a serious grievance. Newly recruited Engineering
diplomates for government service are awarded MN-3 salary
code. (MN stands for Management Non-Technical.) In semi
government sector, engineering diplomates have MA2-2
(Management Assistants) salary codes, which is lower than MN-
3. This pathe�c situa�on has created stressful working
condi�ons for the engineering diplomates. In conclusion they
are not sa�sfied with the way they are treated in a degraded
manner in the public sector.
With the dawn of the Engineering Council Sri Lanka, all
engineering diplomates are eagerly awai�ng with posi�ve
hopes to forget past unpleasant incidents. They are wai�ng for
jus�ce which shall prevail in the future, considering their long-
�me grievances as engineering prac��oners.
IIESL Newsletter October 2021
council members of 2021 /2022 session of iiesl
1 President 13 Editor 28 Eng. (Mrs.) H.A. Moho�ala
Eng. M.R.W. Jayawardhana Eng. Dr. W.B.M. Thoradeniya, MIIESL, IEng
GCGI, FIIESL, IEng MSc, MPhil, PhD, AMIE(SL), FIIESL Engineering Assistant
Chairman & Managing Director Senior Lecturer, Na�onal Water Supply and Drainage
ElectroRef Engineers Pvt Ltd. Ins�tute of Technology Board
2 Immediate Past President University of Moratuwa
29 Eng. H.K. He�arachchi
Eng. W.D. Fonseka 14 Hony. Assistant Treasurer MIIESL, IEng
FIIESL, IEng Eng. K.G.U.S. Jayasekara Senior Assistant Engineer
Managing Director Teklokom GCGI (UK), MIIESL, IEng Sri Lanka Telecom
Interna�onal Pvt Ltd. Former Block Manager, MASL
30 Eng. (Mrs.) T.A.D.P. Thambugala
3 Past President 15 Hony. Assistant Secretary GCGI(UK), MBA, MIIESL, IEng
Eng. K.M.S.B. Rekogama Eng. R.S.G. Punchihewa Assistant Director, Construc�on
GCGI(LONDON), FIAESL, FIIESL, IEng MIIESL, IEng Industry Development Authority
Chairman Mutual Engineering Head of Mechanical Engineering
31 Eng. W.B. Damitha Abeykoon
Services (Pvt) Environment & Energy US MSc (USJP), MIIESL, IEng
Broker Pvt Ltd. Engineering & Services Director - Process Control
4 Past President 16 Eng. W.G.F. Jayasuriya ATG Group of Companies
Eng. W.A. Upali Gunawardana, FIIESL, IEng
MIE(SL), FIIESL, IEng, CEng Former Senior Mech. 32 Eng. W.M.S.B. Walisundara
MIIESL, IEng
Director Raigam Wayamba Salterns Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd. Managing Partner
PLC
17 Eng. Dr. W.A. Wimalaweera Wali E Machinator
Southern Salt Company (Pvt) Ltd. FIIESL, IEng
33 Eng. D.L. Gamini
5 President Elect Former Senior Professor, OUSL MIIESL, IEng
Eng. (Mrs.) P.R. Jinadasa Engineering Assistant
GCGI (UK), AMIE(SL), FIIESL, IEng 18 Eng. U.A. Gunasekara
FIIESL, IEng Ceylon Electricity Board
Former Deputy Chief Signal &
Former Engineer 34 Eng. U.K.S. He�ge
Telecommunica�on Engineer,
E�salat - UAE MIET(UK), GCGI(UK), GREENSL®AP, MIIESL,
Sri Lanka Railway Department
IEng
19 Eng. B.N.P. Mendis
6 Vice President FIIESL, IEng Managing Director
Eng. G.D.F.U. Perera Managing Director Sunpower Engineering Pvt Ltd
MIE(SL), FIIESL, IEng, CEng
Tarmac Engineering (Pvt) Ltd 35 Eng. S.M.T.L. De Silva
Head of the Ins�tu�on
MIIE(SL), MILT(UK), MPWI(UK), IEng
Kothmale Interna�onal Training 20 Eng. T.S.P. Thalagala Supervisory Manager (Permanent
Ins�tute of Irriga�on and Water FIIESL, IEng
Way)
Management Director
Sata Construc�ons Services (Pvt) Ltd Sri Lanka Railway Depatment
7 Vice President
Eng. J.E.L De Silva 21 Eng. S.B.G.C.P.S. Bandara 36 Eng. M.P.C. Kumara
FIIESL, IEng MIIESL, IEng
FIIESL, IEng
Consultant (Civil Engineering) Managing Director Senior Manager (Engineering)
So�logic Retail (Pvt) Ltd CTM Industries & Trading Company Abans PLC
8 Vice President 22 Eng. A. Kasthuriarachchi 37 Eng. K.M.I.P.A. Bandara
MIIESL, IEng MIIESL, IEng
Eng. D. He�arachchi Senior Project Manager
FIIESL, IEng Former Deputy Director, MASL
Managing Director Heylis Sentons Ltd.
23 Eng. H.H.C. Piyadasa 38 Eng. (Ms.) L.V.C. Gunathilaka
He�arachchi Construc�ons, Kandy MIIESL, IEng
Managing Director MEng., PGDip (Project Mgmt.), LCGI, MIAE,
9 Vice President MIIESL, IEng
Eng. K.S.P. Nonis Master Solu�ons Quality Assurance & Quality
B.Tech (OUSL),GCGI (UK), MCGI (UK), MIEEE, 24 Eng. A.S.M. Silva
MBCS, FIIESL, IEng Control Engineer (Civil)
Manager Engineering MIIESL, IEng Hyundai-Keangnam-Nawaloka JV
Independent Television Network Ltd Assistant General Manager
(Administra�on) 39 Eng. M.M.U.P.
10 Vice President Sri Lanka Insurance Corpora�on Abahayagunawardane
Eng. M.P.A. Gunawardena BSc. (Hons.), MBA -Pro.Mgt (UK), GCGI (UK),
Executive Dip (Business Admin.), Ad. Dip 25 Eng. A.A. Rupasinghe MIIESL, IEng
(Industrial Eng.), MBA, FIIESL, IEng MIIESL, IEng Director/ Proprietor
Director Mechanical Engineer U.P. Ranugge Construc�on Pvt Ltd/
Seethawaka Export Processing Zone Department of Post Trust Planning and Engineering
Board of Investment of Sri Lanka 26 Eng. S.D. Meedeniya Solu�ons
11 Hony. Secretary MIIESL, IEng
40 Eng. K.G.I. Deshapriya
Eng. E.A.U. Hemachandra Managing Director BSc. (Hons)(UK), MIIE(SL), MASCE (USA), MIET
MIIESL, MIE(SL), M(ACESL), M(SSE), IEng, CEng LAKI Developers (Pvt) Ltd (UK), GMICE (UK), MCPM(SL), IEng, CE (UK)
Roadwork Consultant Manager - Projects
27 Eng. K.A.S. Thilakaratne
12 Hony. Treasurer MIIESL, IEng Canmac Engineering Pvt Ltd.
Eng. K.P.C. Jayawardena Engineer 41 Eng. V.H.M.S. Babalagama
B.Sc., GCGI (UK), FIIESL, IEng Sri Lanka Telecom BSc (Hon)(UK), MIIESL, IEng
Deputy General Manager Project Manager
Research & Development & Quality MSN Architects Pvt Ltd.
Control Jinasena (Pvt) Ltd

05
05
 IIESL Newsletter
iiesl go for on-line professional
reviews under the pandemic crisis
The registra�on of all professionals prac�cing in the
engineering industries has become essen�al with the
implementa�on of the Act no 4, 2017 - Engineering Council of
Sri Lanka (ECSL) Act. Out of the six categories of registra�ons,
the categories ‘Incorporated Engineer’ and ‘Engineering
Diplomate’ registrants must be presented through IIESL.
Hence, the membership func�onal commi�ee of the current
session under the leadership of Eng. Pushpa Jinadasa
(President Elect) has been ac�vely looking for ways and means
of increasingly facilita�ng the prospec�ve members to obtain
their membership at the appropriate class.
Conduc�ng on-line professional Review (PR) with viva-voce for
the class of ‘Associate Member’ had been introduced by Eng.
Ananda Gunawardena, the Chairman of the membership
commi�ee of the previous session.
One of the first novel ini�a�ons of this session is the
commencement of on-line PRs for the class of ‘Member’. All
procedures were rigorously examined and developed to
sustain the required quality of the procedure. The Chairperson
specially commended the valuable guidance and support
provided by the advisors to the commi�ee; Eng. Anton Peiris
(PP), Eng. Upali Gunawardena (PP) and Eng. Pani Kavikeshawa
(PP) in the prepara�on of procedures for the approval of the
Council of Management.
agm of the iiesl qatar branch
IIESL Qatar Branch could not hold the AGM in 2020 due to the
Gulf Region’s blockade of Qatar and the pandemic situa�on.
However, the Qatar branch has now scheduled its 7th AGM for
the first week of December 2021.
As the pandemic situa�on is s�ll prevailing in Qatar, the
Execu�ve Commi�ee has decided to hold the AGM on a virtual
pla�orm. Chairman Eng. Upul Ranaweera will meet the
President IIESL, Eng Wimal Jayawardhana and decide on the
date to hold the AGM.
CONTACTS OF OVERSEAS BRANCHES
UAE Branch
Institution of Incorporated Engineers, Sri Lanka
c/o Consulate General of Sri Lanka
P.O. Box 5I528, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Email: iiesluae@gmail.com
Web: www.iiesluae.org
06
October 2021
ATTENTION
ECSL Registration for the year 2022 is on.
Payments can be made through a bank in favor of
“Institution of Incorporated Engineers, Sri Lanka”
Account No. 208-1001-8-1101173 of People’s
Bank, Battaramulla
Include the following reference.
EC-AM- (IIESL Associate Member Number) E.g., EC-AM-5054
EC-M- (IIESL Member Number) E.g., EC-M-3025
EC-F- (IIESL Fellow Number) E.g., EC-F-0150
15th agm of the iiesl uae branch
The IIESL-UAE Branch held its 15th AGM on the 29 th October
2021, on a virtual pla�orm. The new Execu�ve Commi�ee of
the IIESL-UAE Branch for the session 2021-2022 was elected
with Eng. Priyanga De Mel as the Chairman.
The out-going Chairman, IIESL UAE Branch, Eng. Anura
Jagodage, delivered the welcome speech and thanked the
President of IIESL, the dis�nguished guests and the members
of the UAE Branch for a�ending the session where the branch
was celebra�ng its 15th Anniversary.
Eng. Wimal Jayawardhana delivering the President’s speech
said that the IIESL has set up a series of targets for the session
2021-2022 and he was confident that the targets are
achievable with the support of the Commi�ee of
Management.
Eng. Pushpa Jinadasa (President Elect), Eng. WD Fonseka (IPP),
Eng. Upali Hemachandra (Hony. Secretary), Eng. Shantha
Senarath (PP), Eng. Ranjith Chandrasiri (PP), Eng. Dr. Bhadranie
Thoradeniya (Editor) and Eng. Namali Siyambalapi�ya
a�ended the AGM in addi�on to the Pesident, IIESL (Page 8).
Qatar Branch
Institution of Incorporated Engineers, Sri Lanka
Qatar Branch
Tel :+97433068356
Email: anurawanasinghe@yahoo.com 6
 IIESL Newsletter October 2021

POSSIBILITIES OF DAY LIGHT HARVESTING FOR SRI LANKAN OFFICE BUILDINGS

Mahesh Suranga Babalagama
B.Sc .(Hons.) (Civil Engineering) UK, NDT, MIIESL

Introduc�on daylight usage, ar�ficial illumina�on methods are heavily

Minimizing global warming with sustainable design is one of used throughout the day resul�ng an increment in energy
the key aspects of the latest building designs. Most of the usage of the buildings.
office buildings use more than required energy during the Components of Daylight
day �me for various ac�vi�es. The daylight provides Measuring daylight illuminance has three major roles (Figure
significant energy saving when the electric ligh�ng system is 2).
turned off or dimmed. Hence daylight has become a part of 1. Sky component (SC)
a sustainability measure. In addi�on, various scien�fic 2. Externally reflected component (ERC)
studies and anecdotal evidence show a posi�ve correla�on 3. Internally reflected component (IRC)
between the presence of day light in an occupied space and
human health, comfort and produc�vity.
Building designers use daylight factor (DF) as a code prac�ce
to gain natural light with shading while saving energy.
Allowable ligh�ng power density for a Sri Lankan office
building should not exceed 10.8 LPD (W/m2) and a standard
of 500 lux illumina�on should be maintained (Sri Lanka
Sustainable Energy Authority, 2009).
Sri Lanka is a tropical country with a higher temperature
level and rela�vely high humidity level. With the result of
direct exposure of a building interior to sun rays, building
interior’s thermal comfort will be affected. As direct glass
openings cannot minimize heat rays, it is to be provided
double argon filled glass, reflected claddings, �nted glass or Figure 2: Components of DF
ver�cal blinds to reduce the heat transmission (Figure 1).
Majority of the designers prefer daylight over ar�ficial
ligh�ng in their concepts. The DF is calculated by the ra�o of the horizontal plane
illumines of inside point and the horizontal plane of the roof
illumines from sky as a percentage. (Coaton & Marsden,
1997)

Daylight improvement
Conceptual design - Strategies for design windows, skylights,
shade control to have maximum usage of day light.
Building geometry - Site orienta�on will be the most
important part when doing the conceptual design. The
building heading to east-west side is ideal for daylight
harves�ng rather than north south oriented (Figure 3).

Figure 1 : Transmittance on Glass
tint
Although the buildings are designs with daylight harves�ng,
office occupants tend to use curtains or ver�cal blinds to
avoid the sunlight diffusing through windows. Instead of
Surround landscape and buildings - Buildings reflec�on from
the external surfaces can be op�mised for daylight
harves�ng and shadows of the trees can be used to reduce
the direct sunlight which may affect the occupants comfort.

07
 IIESL Newsletter October 2021

get to know key office bearers of 2021 /2022 session of iiesl

PRESIDENT
Eng. M R W Jayawardhana (F0070) is a Fellow of the IIESL. He received his educa on at Pinnawala Maha
Vidyalaya, Nelumpathgama Vidyalaya, Kegalu Maha Vidyalaya, and Dharmaraja College. He started his
higher educa on in 1974 with NDT (Mechanical – Produ on) and con nued with CEI Part 1, Diploma in
Ref & A/c, Diploma in Journalism, Diploma in Gemology, Training in Germany for saw doctoring. He is the
Chairman/ Managing Director of ElectroRef Engineers PVT Ltd, as well as an inventor with 3 Presiden al
awards and 13 patents.
He had been employed at Bata Shoe company, CISIR, Scancey Trading Co. Ltd. previously. He has
specialized in Refrigera on & Air cond oning, Drying, Rice processing, Wood processing, Heavy
fabrica on, Machine designing, Manufacturing of walking dinosaurs and Marine repairs etc. He is also a
former Director of State Engineering Corpora on and a board member of the Industrial Development
Board at present. He lives with his wife and two daughters, enjoying the company of two grandchildren.

PRESIDENT ELECT
Eng. Mrs. P R Jinadasa (F0092) is a Fellow of the IIESL. She received her educa on from Visakha
Vidyalaya, Colombo 4. She received her higher educa on at the University of Moratuwa, where she
completed NDT in Electronics & Telecommun on in 1981. Her first employment was at the
Telecommun on Department as a Telecommun on Inspector in 1981 and there she joined
Sri Lanka Railways as a Signal Engineer in 1989. She was promoted to Deputy Chief Signal &
Telecommun on Engineer in 2012 and re in 2014. There er, she joined CECB as the Chief
Consultant for Railway Signal and telecommun on in the Matara Belia a Railway line extension
project. She became an Associate Member of IESL er successful completion of IESL examina ons.
She was one of the few key junior members at the in al period of ACEDA. Since then, she has
con nuously shouldered numerous responsibili s in the IIESL including the post of Vice President. She
is married to Eng. Kamalnath Jinadasa (Past President of IIESL) and has one son.

iiesl uae branch agm on zoom platform

08
 IIESL Newsletter October 2021
HONY. SECRETARY
Eng. E A Upali Hemachandra is a Fellow of the IIESL and Honorary Life Member of the IESL and a Member
of the Society of Structural Engineers Sri Lanka. He obtained his NDT (Civil Engineering) qualifica�on in
1972 from the University of Moratuwa, completed IESL Professional examina�ons (part II) in 1983 and
obtained a Post Graduate Diploma (Construc�on management) in 1996. He held the posi�ons of Resident
Engineer, Bridge Engineer, Consul�ng Engineer and Team Leader in several companies, and also has held
the post of Deputy General Manager at Road Construc�on and Development Co. (Pvt) Ltd. He has served
as the Chairman of the Membership commi�ee and was a Vice President at the IIESL for several sessions.

HONY. TREASURER
Eng. K Prabhath C. Jayawardena (F 0108) is a Fellow of the IIESL and is a product of President’s College,
Minuwangoda. He began his professional career a�er obtaining NDT (Mechanical Engineering –
Produc�on) from the University of Moratuwa in 1998. Therea�er, he has also obtained a B.Sc (Physical
Science) degree from the University of Kelaniya and completed Engineering Council Examina�ons. Also,
he holds GCGI(UK) in Mechanical Engineering. He held the posts of Produc�on Engineer and Senior
Factory Manager posi�ons at Solex (Pvt) Ltd. Later he joined the Jinasena (Pvt.) Ltd. and is currently
serving in the capacity of Deputy General Manager – Research & Development and Quality control. His
specializa�ons are Pump Design, Produc�on, Commissioning/Troubleshoo�ng and Design & Fabrica�on
of Produc�on related machineries. He is married to Mrs Thilini Senanayake and they have two sons,
Thinula and Sandith.
(To be con�nued in the next Newslet ter)

NEWS FROM PROFESSIONAL AFFAIRS

Professional Affairs Func�onal Commi�ee gladly
announces the successful inclusion of the members of
the IIESL in the lists of professionals at the DFCC Bank and
Ha�on Na�onal Bank to enjoy their special offers for
professionals.
board of trustees
Eng. M.R.W. Jayawardhana - Chairman (Ex Offcio)
GCGI, FIIESL, IEng
Eng. E.A.U. Hemachandra - Secretary (Ex Offcio)
MIIESL, MIE(SL), M(ACESL), M(SSE), IEng, CEng

Eng. K.P.C. Jayawardena - Treasurer (Ex Offcio)

B.Sc., GCGI (UK), FIIESL, IEng

Eng. (Mrs. ) P.R. Jinadasa - Member (Ex Offcio)

GCGI (UK), AMIE(SL), FIIESL, IEng

Eng. W. D. Fonseka - Member (Ex Offcio)

FIIESL, IEng

Eng. J.M.A.E Peiris - Member

GCGI(UK), FIIESL, MIET(UK),IEng(UK), IEng(SL)

Eng. J.AT. Senaviratne - Member

MSc OUSL, MBA WUSL, BIS, FIIESL, MIET(UK), IEng(SL)

Eng. C. Wanasinghe - Member

GCGI(UK), DTM(TMI), FIIESL, IEng(SL)

Eng. B.S. Wimalasundara - Member

GCGI(UK), FIIESL, IEng(SL)

Eng. S.T.J. Arawwawala - Member

MSc (Eng), Dip Mgt, MILM(UK), MPMA(UK),GCGI(UK),FIIESL, IEng(SL)

Eng. (Mrs.) D.C.R. Botheju - Member

FIIE (SL), FIMgt(UK), G.CGI (UK), M.CGI (UK), F.IBA(UK), IEng(SL)

09
 IIESL Newsletter October 2021

From Page 7 … POSSIBILITIES OF DAY LIGHT HARVESTING ….

Advantages of Day ligh�ng

Reduce Artificial
Better Light Quality
Lighting

Ruduce Energy cost Increase Better Labour cost

Less Energy
cooling saving productivity Health saving
for Lighting
load

Correct angle can harvest daylight inside the building

throughout the day and ar�ficial lights can be switched off
or dimmed. Also it would help to reduce the solar gain
through windows and thereby reduce the cooling energy of
the Air-condi�oners by 30-50%.

Figure 3: Ideal building Orientations

Window to wall ratio (WWR) - to maximize the light

penetra�on tall windows will be used. Buildings are
designed with light wells and courtyards to get bi-direc�onal
ligh�ng. For the basic EA rule the larger windows should be
darker glazing, smaller window should be clearer. Also angle
ver�cal blind, reflected window films, window shading can
be used to op�mize usage of daylight harves�ng preven�ng
glare.
Visible transmittance (VT) - VT can be reduced from large
windows by providing �nted glass. This is used for aesthe�c
solar shading purpose. This will directly be beneficial in
reducing the cooling load of the building to an iden�cal
percentage. Low emissivity coated glass or films also can be
used to reduce solar gain.
Indoor Illuminance – Lighter colours gives more reflec�on
from the walls, floor and ceiling with the effect of daylight.
Section Depth – The width of the building can be reduced to
have effec�ve distance from the window up to the loca�on
of maximum daylight ra�o. This will help to reduce the
ar�ficial light usage for the area.
Visible sky angle – The angle of the sun light receiving to the
building (Figure 4).
Automated or adjustable ver�cal blinds can be used to avoid
sunlight glare or change the skylight angle from the sun.
Figure 4 : Visible sky angle changed by adjustable vertical
blinds (HNB Regional office Jaffna)
Dayligh�ng simula�on
Nowadays, Designers use computer modelling and
simula�on so�ware packages for complex designs.
DesignBuilder is one of the So�ware using energy plus as a
tool used for energy, carbon, ligh�ng and comfort
measurement and control according to the requirements of
ASHRAE. DesignBuilder is the most established and
advanced user interface to EnergyPlus, the industry
standard Building Energy simula�on tool. It provides access
to all of the most commonly required simula�on capabili�es
covering building fabric, thermal mass, glazing, shading,
renewable, HVAC and financial analysis.
Any exis�ng building can be model using this so�ware and
experimental analysis can be done for op�mizing the energy
usage of the building in many ways for day ligh�ng
strategies.

10
 IIESL Newsletter
celebrating achievements of iiesl members
We present two members who have reached the pinnacle of success in their professional lives. We celebrate the highest
achievements of these two professionals by highligh�ng their life stories with briefs on achievements.
Eng. Shantha Senarath NDT, MCGI(Lond), MEG(SL), DTM (USA), FIIESL, I Eng
One person whom we could iden�fy as a professional held to
higher standards and a person who has earned a series of
admirable career achievements is none other than Eng. Shantha
Senarath. He received his primary and secondary educa�on from
Rahula Collage, Matara and Ananda Collage, Colombo. He joined
the first batch of NDT and obtained his diploma in Electronics and
Telecommunica�on in 1969, from the Ins�tute of Prac�cal
Technology, Katubedda (current University of Moratuwa).
Eng. Shantha Senarath reached a pinnacle as a professional in Sri
Lanka when he was inducted as the 40th President of the
Organiza�on of Professional Associa�ons of Sri Lanka (OPA). He
has been an office bearer of the OPA since 2011, holding several
posi�ons; Editor, Vice President, General Secretary and
eventually reached the highest rank on 9 th December 2020. He
has been ac�vely involving in rendering an invaluable service to
OPA and to the professionals at large displaying his
professionalism and commitment to OPA’s existence and
development.
During his tenure at OPA as the President Elect, he and his 33rd
Annual Conference Commi�ee conducted the first ever two day
Digital Annual Conference of OPA on the theme ‘BOUNCE BACK
– DISASTERS ARE OPPORTUNITIES’ with the par�cipa�on of the
Prime Minister, Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, as the Chief Guest.
Many eminent speakers made their presenta�ons from Sri Lanka
and overseas on the digital pla�orm.
Eng. Senarath, a Fellow of the IIESL, has served the IIESL since
1985 when he joined the Council of Management. He held the
posi�on of the President-IIESL for two consecu�ve years from
2000. He has served as the Chairman of the INCO Industrial
Exhibi�on and Trade Fair on three occasions and introduced the
INCO Young Innovators Compe��on and Robo�cs Compe��on
to INCO.
11
October 2021
Eng. Shantha Senarath –40th President of the OPA
Eng. Senarath has been a founder member of the Engineering
Council of Sri Lanka (ECSL). IIESL is a stakeholder organiza�on of
the ECSL and Eng. Senarath represents the IIESL in the ECSL.
An electrical engineer by profession with over 40 years of
experience at senior managerial posi�ons in the industry, Eng.
Senarath stepped in to the private sector becoming the
Chairman/Managing Director of Techno-Plus Interna�onal (PVT)
Ltd. Techno-Plus is a reputed supplier of high-tech electrical
distribu�on products to the electrical industry in Sri Lanka.
He gained experience in the Middle East construc�on industry by
serving a leading American organiza�on, Aramco in KSA. He also
had the opportunity to have training in Germany on electrical
distribu�on systems, a rare opportunity availed to a Sri Lankan
Engineer.
Eng. Senarath had the rare opportunity to become a highest-
ranking Dis�nguished Toastmaster (DTM) of Toastmaster
Interna�onal, USA. He had been instrumental in forming the
IIESL Toastmasters Club. He had also formed Toastmasters Clubs
in Matara, ITUM and Senkadagala.
Eng. Senarath had been in the forefront of the IIESL team which
assisted and gave the fullest support to establish the first ever
overseas branch of a professional ins�tu�on, the UAE Branch of
the IIESL in 2006. Since then, he con�nues to serve towards the
development of the IIESL UAE Branch.
We are aware that Eng. Senarath believes that hard work
produces posi�ve results always. He has always been in line with
this belief. We wish Eng. Shantha Senarath great success, a
prosperous future and the opportunity to con�nue his services
to IIESL, the industry and professionals at large.
 IIESL Newsletter
celebrating achievements of iiesl members
Eng. Dhammika Tamarananda Gamage NDT, IEng., MCIArb, CIQS-PQS, FIIESL, FACostE, FIQSSL FAIQS-CQS, FRICS
IIESL celebrates a Sri Lankan
professional living in the UAE who
has demonstrated outstanding
commitment to upgrading the
status of professionals in the
Middle East region and to
developing social ethics of the Sri
Lankan community in the UAE. He
is none other than Eng.
Dhammika Gamage.
He received the President’s
award from the Chartered
Ins�tu�on of Civil Engineering
Surveyors, UK (CICES) for “Outstanding Contribu�on to the
Ins�tu�on, Profession and to the Construc�on Industry at
Large”. This is the first �me the award was presented to a
non-Bri�sh na�onal in the history of CICES. Eng. Gamage has
been the Chairman of the CICES-UAE Region since 2011.
Eng. Gamage received his primary and secondary educa�on
from Rahula Collage, Matara and Royal Collage, Colombo.
He joined the University of Moratuwa to follow NDT (Civil
Engineering) and graduated in 1983.
Apart from being a ‘Fellow’ Member of the IIESL, Eng.
Gamage is a corporate member of reputed professional
ins�tu�ons, such as the Chartered Ins�tute of Arbitrators.
He is a ‘Fellow member’ of the Ins�tute of Quan�ty
Surveyors, Sri Lanka, the Associa�on of Cost Engineers, the
Australian Ins�tute of Quan�ty Surveyors, the Royal
Ins�tu�on of Chartered Surveyors, the Chartered Ins�tu�on
of Civil Engineering Surveyors. He is also a Professional
Member of the Canadian Ins�tute of Quan�ty Surveyors and
a Member of the Society of Construc�on Law - UAE.
He had been a key member of the team who shared the
responsibility for forming the first ever overseas branch of a
Sri Lankan professional ins�tu�on, the UAE Branch of the
IIESL in 2006. He was a commi�ee member since then and
served as the Chairman of the Branch from 2009 to 2012. He
was also a Council Member of the IIESL from 2011 un�l 2017.
Eng. Gamage was recently inducted as the Chairman of the
Sri Lankan Professionals Associa�on in the UAE (SLPA-UAE),
represen�ng IIESL-UAE Branch. He has been a founder
member of the Associa�on.
He received the SLQS “Award for Life�me Contribu�on to
the Profession, SLQS and Community at large” in 2018.
He was the architect of many novel ini�a�ons for the
be�erment of fellow professionals such as the reciprocal
agreement between IIESL and Chartered Ins�tute of Civil
Engineering Surveyors, the Competency-based Membership
Admission Criterion and the Professional Review Examiner
Training module of IIESL and the assessment of Professional
Competency Assessor Training module of AIQS.
Further he holds the post Director of the Australian Ins�tute
of Quan�ty Surveyors (AIQS) since 2017, Member of the
Execu�ve Commi�ee of the AIQS-UAE Branch and the
12
October 2021
representa�ve of the Ins�tute of Quan�ty Surveyors Sri
Lanka for the UAE – 2016 to date.
He has been a speaker and a trainer of Con�nuing Professional
Development (CPD) programmes for engineers, project
managers, and quan�ty surveyors of many professional
ins�tu�ons and the Society of Engineers, UAE over a period of
20 years. The CPDs were based on the topics mainly related to
the construc�on industry which helped most of the a�endees to
obtain their professional qualifica�ons from the respec�ve
professional ins�tu�ons.
CICES
President’s
Medal
Apart from serving the professionals at large, he has been a
dedicated social worker. He has been a member of the
Execu�ve Commi�ee of the Sri Lanka Cultural Educa�on
Center (SLCEC), Dubai which is a voluntary organiza�on
established under the patronage of the Sri Lanka Consulate
General and with the assistance from the Sri Lankan
Ambassador, since its establishment in 2001.
Addi�onally, he has been a teacher of the educa�on center
(Dubai Daham Pasala) and in August 2020, was elected
Principal on the re�rement of the former Principal, Eng.
Sisira Walaliyadde. Ha has also been the trainer of Sinhala
stage drama at Dubai Daham Pasala where most of the
students speak English. Eng. Gamage has been playing a
leading role in organizing the events of SLCEC and children’s
academic, religious and leisure ac�vi�es.
He had also been a Board Member of SAHANA Associa�on,
the Sri Lanka Welfare Associa�on which is a voluntarily
associa�on engaged in assis�ng the deserving needy Sri
Lankan expatriates in the UAE.
He is currently employed as the Contracts and Procurement
Director at Na�onal Investments Corpora�on (PJSC), Abu
Dhabi, UAE. As a person who is employed at corporate level
in a leading property development sector organiza�on, how
he manages his �me to devote so much on so many
professional and social ac�vi�es would jus�fy the argument
that Voluntary Social Work is yet another profession.
We wish him every success in his future endeavors.
 IIESL Newsletter
tributes to members who are no more
Many of the IIESL members who were strengths to IIESL lost their lives in the recent past. We at the IIESL greatly appreciate their valuable
service, views and knowledge shared with our community. We remember them with gra�tude.
Eng. H.U.R. Nimal Premasiri
Eng. Nayanasena Wanninayake
A veteran award-winning lyricist and a poet,
Eng. Nayanasena Wanninayake has
contributed immensely towards poe�c
literature in Sri Lanka. Nayane was a familiar
Eng. Cuhananthan Wijayanayagam
Eng. Wijayanayagam was a senior Fellow
Member of the IIESL and a very senior
engineer, worked in many government
ins�tu�ons and in pres�gious private
sector organiza�ons in Sri Lanka and Giant
Industrial sector organiza�ons in the
middle East, since graduating from Hardy
Technical Ins�tute, Amparei.
During his professional career he worked
with many reputed, major Sri Lankan
organiza�ons and he had the opportunity
to work with large, well-reputed
Eng. Nimal Premasiri was a senior corporate
member of the ins�tu�on who joined IIESL
at the ini�al stages of its forma�on and
con�nued to be a member �ll he passed
away on 7th May 2021
He was born on 27th April 1954 in the city of
Alawwa and had two siblings, an elder
brother and a younger brother. He received
his primary educa�on at Bandaranayake
Collage, Gampaha and completed his
secondary educa�on at Mayurapada
Collage, Narammala and St. Annes Collage,
Kurunegala. He obtained his NDT from the
University of Moratuwa in 1976.
He joined the Sri Lanka Steel Corpora�on in
1976 for his in-plant training and con�nued
name among Sri Lankans and the Sri Lankan
community in the UAE.
He received his educa�on at Anuradhapura
Central Collage and followed his NDT (Civil
Eng.) at Hardy Senior Tech Ins. And the
University of Moratuwa, graduating in 1983.
Therea�er he joined Pelwa�e Sugar
Industries and con�nued his career with
Peoples Bank as a Regional Building
Engineer. In 2008, he joined a major
contrac�ng company, MS. Hilalco in the
United Arab Emirates as a Senior Quan�ty
Surveyor. He con�nued to work with the
same employer un�l his re�rement in 2020,
and se�led down in Sri Lanka.
interna�onal organiza�ons when he
worked in the Middle East.
Eng. Wijayanayagam was born on 30th
October 1939 in Badulla and studied at
Good Shepherd college, Nuwaraeliya, St
Thomas’s college, Matale and Jaffna
Collage. A�er his gradua�on from Hardy
Technical Ins�tute, he con�nued his
studies and graduated from Guindy College
of Engineering (Mechanical) and Madras
University (B.E. Course/Engineering)
He contributed immensely towards his
Alma Mater, Hardy Ins�tute. He was
13
October 2021
to serve the Corpora�on for a record 46
years �ll his un�mely death on 7 th May
2021. He returned from workplace with a
heart ailment and passed away on
admission to the hospital.
He was an ardent supporter of his alma-
mater, Mayurapada Collage, Narammala As
a member of its OBA, since passing out un�l
his death. He supported the school by
holding several posi�ons of the OBA to
upgrade the status of the school.
He le� behind his loving wife, daughter, a
consultant psychiatrist and son, an
Assistant Manager, Peoples Bank.
He became increasingly interested in the art
of wri�ng while enjoying the wonderful
songs and poems he wrote. He wrote lyrics
for veteran singers such as Victor Ratnayake,
Amarasiri Peiris, Saman Lenin, Krishantha
Erandaka as well as amateur singers.
Eng. Wanninayake passed away on 14th
June 2021 at the age of 63. We will long
remember Nayane, for his memories remain
with us.
All of us in the IIESL community want to
share our love and support for Nayane with
his family and friends. We wish late Eng.
Wanninayake the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana.
instrumental in ge�ng the Hardy Center
Registra�on at Ratmalana. Together with
Mr. J.M.N.V. Paiwa signed the document of
registra�on and also served as the Vice
President of Hardy OBA Commi�ee.
A�er a long service and contribu�on to the
construc�on industry and profession in Sri
Lanka and abroad, he passed away on 29th
August 2021 leaving a big vacuum in the
industry. IIESL will not forget Eng.
Wijayanayagam and will be honouring and
remembering him through ac�ons that will
reflect his passion and commitment to the
industry.
 IIESL Newsletter
Eng. Nalaka Kanthiarachchi
Eng. Nalaka Kanthiarachchi received his
educa�on at Wesley College, Colombo. He
joined IET, Katunayaka in 1989 and
obtained his NDES in 1994.
Eng. Nalaka was born on 2nd July 1969 in
Colombo in a family of four with one
Eng. D. Jayantha Lakshman Perera
Eng. Dedigamage Jayantha Lakshman Perera
joined the Ins�tu�on during the era of
ACEDA. He was a Corporate Member of the
Eng. H. S. Kalyanarathne
Eng. Kalyanarathne was born on 02nd
December 1953 in Rathmalana as the
youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Mar�nus
Sahabandu’s family of five children.
brother and two sisters. He was married to
Mrs. Dinusha Ernst and their only son is
studying for GCE(AL) in Sri Lanka.
Eng. Nalaka passed away on 25th June
2021 upon admission to Zuleka Hospital,
Sharjah. His un�mely death was greatly felt
by his friends, collegues and the staff of
American University of Sharjah (AUS).
He was a qualified Project Management
Professional (PMP) and he always shared
his exper�se with other professionals who
wanted to obtain the PMP status. He joined
the IIESL UAE Branch Execu�ve Commi�ee
and later became the Secretary and served
�ll his departure. He represented the IIESL
UAE Branch in the Sri Lankan Professionals
Associa�on in the UAE as a board member
and the Treasurer since its establishment in
2019.
IIESL and a registered member of the
Engineering Council of Sri Lanka.
He was born on the 10th April, 1959 in
Maharagama having three siblings, two
sisters and a brother and remained a
bachelor. He was the brother-in-law of Eng.
Senarath Rekogama (Past President) of IIESL.
Having completed his secondary educa�on
at St. John’s College, Nugegoda, he joined
the University of Moratuwa in 1979 and
obtained his NDT (Electrical, Electronics and
Telecommunica�on Engineering).
He started his career with the pioneering
group of Independence Television Network
(ITN). Eng. Jayantha gained overseas
employment experience in Oman during
1985/1986. He had overseas training in
Switzerland a�er joining Delmage Forsyth &
Company in 1987 as a Biomedical Equipment
Engineer.
Educated at Ananda Collage, Colombo he
entered the University of Moratuwa and
completed NDT (Civil Eng.) in 1978.
Therea�er, he obtained Associate
Membership of IESL and became a member
of the Engineering Council of Sri Lanka.
He started his career at Mahaweli
Engineering and Construc�on Agency
(MECA) in September 1979 as an
Engineering Assistant. At MECA he
supervised the construc�on ac�vi�es of the
Chandrikawewa Branch Canal and its
downstream development works. In 1995 he
was recruited as a Project Engineer in the
Manampi�ya DRE Division at Mahaweli
system B. He resigned from MECA in July
14
October 2021
Eng. Nalaka, on comple�on of his NDES had
worked in Sri Lanka with various
establishments and one year in the KSA. He
joined a major MEP contrac�ng company,
BK Gulf-Dubai in 2004, worked �ll 2015 and
therea�er joined AUS as the Electrical
Services Engineer, where he worked �ll his
un�mely demise.
Most professionals in the UAE including the
members of the IIESL UAE Branch
remember him for his services to the
professional community and his passion
and professional a�tude towards his
services.
We, at the IIESL and its UAE Branch hold
him closely in our hearts and minds and
there he shall remain with fond memories
un�l we meet him again.
Having 32 years of hands-on experience in
Electrical, Electronics, Telecommunica�ons
(Radio, Television, and Satellite
Broadcas�ng) and Mechatronics, he
preferred to be independent and dreamt of
innova�ons. He also specialized in factory
automa�on, electric cars & hybrid vehicles.
He was a visi�ng lecturer/instructor in
government and private sector Technical
colleges and ins�tu�ons such as Open
University and the University of Voca�onal
Technology. He made a fair contribu�on to
IIESL in its ac�vi�es, especially in the INCO
Organizing Commi�ees over several years.
Eng. Jayantha Perera passed away due to
Covid-19 related complica�ons on 20th
August 2021 at the age of 62. May the late
Eng. Jayantha Perera a�ain Supreme Bliss of
Nibbana.
1998. Later, he joined the Na�onal Collage of
Educa�on, Ratnapura as an ARE. Also he had
held various other posi�ons in Government
authori�es and finally joined the Ministry of
Wildlife and Forest Conserva�on as a
Consultant Civil Engineer and con�nued his
service �ll his un�mely death.
Eng. Kalyanarathne was a senior corporate
member of the IIESL. He passed away on 2nd
September 2021 whilst receiving treatments
at a private hospital in Colombo. He is
survived by his wife, Chandra Sahabandu
and daughter living in Australia. We express
our hear�elt condolences to them. May he
a�ain Supreme Bliss of Nibbana.
IIESL Newsletter October 2021

cpd programmes by education &

training committee
IIESL invites members, prospec�ve members, and any other
interested persons to join the number of CPD programs designed and
delivered by eminent professionals with experience. These programs
have been highly commended by the previous par�cipants.

Publicity is given here to a very few of them due to limited space.

 Workplace Communica�on
 Corrosion & Corrosion Control Resource Person:
 Industrial Pneuma�cs and Hydraulics ENG. PANDULA MADUGALLA
 Tex�le Technology
 Engineering Ethics Benefits
  DURATION
5. Building Management System Improved produc�vity,
 Circular Economy for Resource Efficiency  Greater trust in management Weekends
 Design of Reinforced Concrete Elements in Buildings  Increased business understanding (Online)

Enhancement of Management Skills  Build professional networks, 4x12 h,

Project Management
 Promote sugges�ons & ideas

Short Course on Steel Structures
 Improve technical wri�ng skills Course Fee
Please inquire about your requirements of CPD programs from the FOCUS: Associate Members, Rs. 7500.00
IIESL Head Office. Par�cipants: 25-30

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