FUTURE OF ENGINEERS, ENGINEERING SECTOR AND SRI LANKA

 “Future of the Engineers in any country, is the future of that country”
Ceylon was known as the pearl in the Indian Ocean in ancient times and as well as at present. Hence, it was known to other countries for centuries. We have 2500 years of written history and that was one of the developed civilizations in Asia. 

 The famous historical remains in our ancient cities such as Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Panduwasnuwara etc. are the evidence to our ancient engineering marvels.  The Chaithya stone bridges and buildings are the examples of huge ancient constructions. The thousands of lakes connected with channels, show the developed irrigation and water management systems. We can imagine the technology and heavy equipmemt they used for stone drilling and carving across the ancient cities. We cannot even think how they moved the huge rocks.

I am sure those ancient “Wadauwan” (presently known as engineers), were well reputed and wealthy citizens of the country as the “kammala”, and was very popular in our history. They were involved in every aspect of development in that era. 

 Not only the present engineering practitioners, all professionals, exaggerate the creations and ability of our ancient engineers, but at present we are crying for survival of our nation, as we have not introduced any development to any field. Now the people represent the engineering sector are not recognized or popular in our society, as the other professionals.   

 The consultation for engineering requirement is very rare. When they construct buildings, they get the approval from engineers as a requirement from an authority, but build the houses as per the advice of masons and skilled workers. Through this, there is colossal wastage of material and manpower, which contributes to more than 20%. 
 Every day we watch professionals in the fields of medical, law, architecture, astrology, armed forces, political, education etc. address in the electronic media and share their professional experience. But nothing about the engineering field. Normally, the engineering practitioners are not interested in writing books and articles, taking part in TV programmes, engaging in films, tele-dramas etc., The real example is how cooks are well recognized and become popular chefs, especially due to the exposure in the electronic media and their publications targeting the society. The media can make or break a country, what is happening in our country is exactly that. 

 During the British colonial era, our country was exposed to western engineering. They built roads, railway lines, irrigation systems, agriculture, introducing new plant species, education, administration, legal system targeting to enhance their revenue. 

 The pictures shows  the 127-year-old memorial stone of Deduru oya and 189 year old memorial tower for Engineer Captain Dawson in Kadugannawa, those are clearly shown reputation of Engineers of the British era.  
 Imagine the present memorial stones with list of names of politicians, which are the history of future Sri Lanka. When a project is completed, our politicians, never invite the related Engineering Company that had completed the job to the opening ceremony. (Ceremonies in which so much of money is wasted).

ARE WE GOING TO CLOSE OUR MOUTH, EARS AND EYES…..? 

WHO ARE THE ENGINEERING PRACTITIONERS? 
 Engineers, as practitioners of engineering, are professionals who invent, design, analyze, build, test and maintain machines, complex systems, structures, gadgets and materials to fulfill the functional objectives and requirements while considering the limitations imposed by practicality, regulation, safety and cost. 

 As we all know, at present, everything in every field is pivoted on Science, Technology and Engineering and it plays a wide role in physical and economic development of a country. 

 We could win the war against the LTTE because, the Army and Navy developed their engineering capabilities sharing the knowledge of Sri Lankan Engineers. They manufactured war zone vehicles, hundreds of small boats, balancing platforms to mount heavy artillery and rocket launchers and connected them to the computers. Further, the first platoon that enters the war zone, was the Engineering platoon as they have to repair the roads, bridges, installing communication systems, ensure supply chain, to facilitate other troops. But unfortunately, those engineers and frontiers are not popular and not highlighted as other war heroes. 

 Most of the governments of the developed and developing countries are using the knowledge of Professionals in engineering fields, for their development work, political and administrative activities. For example, 26% of the ministers in Singapore cabinet are engineering professionals. 

 But unfortunately our parliament is represented by 1.77% of engineering practitioners, which is only 4 MPs out of 225. We have an unbalanced parliament, when considering the professionals represent there. This change must be initiated by the leaders of political parties, by nominating candidates at the elections. The Provincial council method is a white elephant for us and it is a training institute for the children of high rank politicians.

I personally noticed the respect the Engineering Professionals in Bangladesh are getting, as those professionals are one of the advisory and effective pressure groups to the government. That is the secret of the development of those countries. 

After struggling for two decades, now all engineering practitioners are under one umbrella - the Engineering Council of Sri Lanka which was established in 2017. If we decide to be the “Most effective Advisory and Pressure group to the government of Sri Lanka”, we can make those changes to bring prosperity to a country within a short period of time. 

 Hence, if all the members under the ECSL umbrella, work together with an unbreakable unity, to achieve the common goal, this will be an easy goal, because the Engineering professionals are spread in each and every field.  

At the present crisis in Sri Lanka, what is the role of Engineers? Have we played the role of other professionals? No. Before inviting others, we must be disciplined, responsible, and duty-bound and think positively.

 
Japan was defeated in the 2nd World War and rose from the ashes. At present we are in such position, due to the narrow-minded politicians. Our politicians and our society follow the engineering knowledge of our older generations and generate income showing the ancient engineering marvels to the tourists, but never recognize the knowledge of present engineering supremacy.

This could be a chance for us to rise as a great nation. By developing our own products and strategies, using the Sri Lankan engineers’ knowledge and ability. It should be initiated by the present government with the support of all political parties. Now, most of the political parties say that, they do not want to take ministerial positions in the government, which means they do not play any active role to overcome the present crisis. 

The writer is the President of the Institution of Incorporated Engineers (IIESL) and can be reached on (Mobile 0777 326641 and 
Email – [email protected]