Engineers urged to lead Sri Lanka’s industrial transformation
View(s):Sri Lanka’s engineers were urged to lead the country’s industrial transformation at the National Engineering Conference (NEC) 2025, organised by the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) held recently in Colombo. It brought together engineering professionals, academics, policymakers, and industry leaders to deliberate on engineering-driven solutions for national development, IESL said in a media release.
Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, speaking at the event as Chief Guest, emphasised that a collective force of engineers could “change the trajectory of the country,” stressing that Sri Lanka had missed the opportunities of the first four industrial revolutions.
“Our government’s goal is to achieve the lost industrial transformation,” he stated, urging engineers to lead this mission while the government acts as a facilitator. He appealed for the wholehearted support of Sri Lanka’s engineering community to drive the country toward rapid industrialisation.
The conference featured sectoral presentations across Agriculture and Plantation, Public Safety, Engineering Education, Digital Transformation, Power and Energy, Construction, Transportation, International Trade, Water, and National Codes. Each session highlighted the pressing challenges faced by the country and presented engineering-centred proposals to address them.
Among the key recommendations presented were:
Agriculture: Establishing a National Agricultural Mechanisation Policy, promoting smart technologies such as IoT, AI, and drones, and modernising rice milling and post-harvest systems to improve food security and attract youth to farming.
Construction: Creation of a Construction Development Fund, adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Digital Twin technologies, and stronger environmental safeguards to ensure sustainability.
Digital Transformation: A National Digital Transformation Blueprint 2030 with secure digital IDs, interoperable platforms, and robust cybersecurity measures.
Engineering Education: Reforms to align university intakes with national demand, accreditation under the Washington and Sydney accords, and improved career guidance for students.
International Trade: Stronger safeguards in future Free Trade Agreements, better protection for sensitive sectors, and emphasis on Mutual Recognition Agreements to expand opportunities for engineers abroad.
National Codes: A legally mandated National Building Code backed by a Building Act to ensure structural safety, disaster resilience, and investor confidence.
Power & Energy: Smart-grid integration for renewable energy, upgrading the Sapugaskanda refinery, introducing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and electrification of public transport.
Public Safety: Engineering-based solutions for road safety, including standardised markings, overtaking lanes, and integrated crash data systems.
Transportation: A National Sustainable Transport Policy to reduce road congestion, promote rail and bus electrification, and enhance cycling and walking infrastructure.
Water: A National Water Council and updated Water Act, alongside integrated catchment management, digital water accounting, and stronger climate adaptation strategies.
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