The foundation of quality engineering lies in the ability to serve every member of society without discrimination – PM

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that quality engineering is about serving every member of society without discrimination. She made these remarks during the Pera Engineers’ Day Pinnacle 2026’ Engineering Excellence Awards Ceremony held at Waters Edge, Battaramulla, on August 5th. The ceremony recognized distinguished alumni from the University of Peradeniya's Faculty of Engineering who have made outstanding contributions to the engineering profession.

The Prime Minister unveiled Engineering Excellence Awards to these distinguished alumni and spoke about the importance of engineering in shaping Sri Lanka. She highlighted that engineering involves more than structures and technology; it's about solving human problems and improving people's lives. She stressed that every meaningful achievement starts with the question of how to enhance people's lives.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the role of engineers in connecting communities through transport networks and providing solutions to society's pressing needs such as clean water, sustainable energy, and infrastructure development. She noted that the decisions and priorities of engineers significantly influence the kind of society and nation we build.

The Prime Minister acknowledged the government's efforts to address long-standing challenges in the engineering sector, including the need for a coherent national policy and a well-structured institutional framework. She introduced a Research and Development (R&D) Policy to bring together all institutions connected with the engineering sector, mobilize financial resources for relevant research, and establish a coordinated national framework for research and innovation.

She stressed that building a nation is a collective responsibility, involving governments, professionals, entrepreneurs, academics, innovators, and ordinary citizens. She urged universities to become centers that generate new knowledge, conduct research, and remain accountable to society. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of strengthening the connection between academic learning and professional practice, providing young professionals with opportunities to transform their ideas into practical solutions that address societal challenges.