Setting new standards in socialising while maintaining social distancing, the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) hosted its first-ever Virtual Music Fiesta on July 10. The event was organised by the Civil Engineering Sectional Committee (CESC) in collaboration with the Music Engineers Band of IESL. IESL has always been keen on maintaining and promoting networking among the Engineers, however with the recent pandemic crisis all such activities were forced to be cancelled. As the world is working its way up to normalcy, these ingenuous Engineers have taken an unprecedented step in organising an event of online entertainment incorporating the latest technology in virtual meeting, following the strict rule of social distancing to the dot, packed with all the thrill and the fun of any musical evening. 

The event was a record-breaking milestone in the long history of social events of IESL, it was not only the first-ever virtual entertainment event but also being the first-ever event that saw the participation of all 13 chapters of IESL, both local and abroad, spread over north to south and Qatar to Queensland, at once, bringing together Sri Lankan Engineers living all over the world on to one platform. The live wire of the event, the music engineers band had been instrumental in the success of the evening as well as all the musical contributions made by chapters across the island and the globe. Playing to the Engineering ear since 2015, the Music Engineers Band comprising engineers only has provided a wonderful platform to showcase the hidden musical skills of the Sri Lankan Engineers. However, the latest initiative by them as well as the CESC could not have come at a better time, providing a much-needed evening of salutary relaxation of musical entertainment, sung by our very own Engineers across the globe, providing a virtual space to let go of all the mental burdens straining our lives. The event had an audience of over 3,000 viewers joking via Zoom & Facebook and a live presence of more than 50 people at the IESL, evidencing its success. The participation of renowned artists such as Shriyantha Mendis, Jagath Wickramasinghe, Jagath Chamila & Ferny Roshini added colour to the liveliness of the event bridging the gap between the entertainment and the Engineering field. The event provided a much-awaited mental relief that can be enjoyed from the comfort and the safety of your own home. 

The event was successful in bridging all Engineers from Vaddakin (North) to Ruhunu, Queensland to Qatar and uniting everyone in the Universal language of Music. For exploring these new avenues, experimenting with technology, supporting unconventional initiatives and bringing this wonderful event to life, a special thanks goes to the leaders of IESL, President Eng. Prof. S.B.S. Abeykoon, Chairman of CESC Prof. Ranjith Dissanayake, Chairmen of all 13 Chapters of IESL, IESL Toastmasters Club. Special thanks go to following dignitaries who were gracing the night at the IESL HQ premises, Past President Eng. B.R.O. Fernando, Eng. Chula De Silva, Eng. Shavindranath Fernando, Eng Jayvilal Meegoda and current Vice President Eng. Dr. Kamal Laksiri. The Team behind this success has to be recognised, head of the event coordination & planning Eng. Manjula Samarasinghe with Eng. Krishan Dileep Pathirana and his team, & Eng. Chandana Dalugoda Leader of the IESL Music Engineers Band. We hope to see more events of such progression from IESL in future which paints an Engineer in a new light, showing that Engineers are much more than their brains and unlocks ingenious ways in which we can socialise.