The Annual Sessions 2016 which was the platform created by the Society of Structural Engineers Sri Lanka (SSE-SL) for our very own Structural Engineering fraternity to showcase their ingenuity and share ground breaking ideas, saw its successful culmination at the Cinnamon Grand recently. 
This calendar event, organized with the patronage of the Tokyo Cement Group, had over 200 delegates representing the construction fraternity comprising engineers, consultants, construction professionals and developers as well as students and undergraduates from all the leading universities in the country attending the full-day conference.
The main objective of the Annual Sessions was to foster a culture of scientific research and innovation among the Structural Engineering fraternity, by creating a platform to share knowledge and experience on various construction-related topics among peers and experts in Sri Lanka and around the world.
Renowned Structural Engineer Dr. Takanori Kawamoto of Ube Industries Limited, Japan was a keynote speaker at the event who spoke on the importance of “Seismic evaluation and retrofit of RC buildings in Japan”. In addition, Prof. Sudhir Misra of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur delivered the second keynote address on ‘Durability based on design of concrete structures: A challenge for all of us’. The two keynote addresses shed light on the most recent developments in structural engineering practice in two countries of the world that are considered trailblazers in the construction industry.
The conference set the stage for nine breakthrough papers presented by leading professionals of the Sri Lankan Structural Engineering fraternity. 
These concept papers evaluated by an eminent panel of industry specialists and academia, presented answers to some of the critical issues tackled in the field, while others presented pioneering ideas that will take Structural Engineering practice to the next level. 
The morning session was moderated by Prof. W. P. S. Dias, Senior Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering of the University of Moratuwa, and the afternoon session was chaired by Dr. N. Somaratne, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Civil Engineering of the University of Peradeniya.
Speaking on behalf of the Tokyo Cement Group on being the sole sponsor of the Annual Sessions 2016, Dr. M. G. M. U. Ismail, Director Research & Development said that the company was indeed very honoured to facilitate this prestigious knowledge-sharing forum and was proud of the breadth and depth of the substance discussed at this year’s event, which has the potential to broaden the horizons of structural engineering in Sri Lanka. The SSE-SL Annual Sessions 2016 was the platform to showcase the talents of our very own Structural Engineering practitioners and their readiness to face new challenges in the construction industry with innovative thinking, enhanced knowledge and expertise.
SSE-SL is the foremost industry body dedicated to enhancing the knowledge of structural engineers and other professionals connected to the construction industry on new concepts and innovations and new technology used in the planning and designing of contemporary construction projects. 
Its members are actively involved in the development activities of the country and also act as consultants and advisors on major development projects. Members of the SSE-SL dynamically contribute on a number of policy formulating committees governing the construction industry such as the Urban Development Authority (UDA), Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA), and the Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI). The Society plays a leading role in educational and training activities and provides a platform to share knowledge and experience on various construction-related topics between professionals in Sri Lanka and with industry experts from around the world.