CMETSL to facilitate an environment for synergising the engineering efforts to
develop the country - Defence Secretary
October 14, 2022
- College of Military Engineering and Technology, Sri Lanka (CMETSL) inaugurated.
- Military engineers in Tri- Services under one professional entity for nation-building.
Tri Forces at present are throwing their full weight behind national-level campaigns carrying out mammoth development projects predominantly by military engineers aiming at Nation Building and assisting in achieving Sustainable Development.
Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne made these remarks at Eagle’s Lakeside, Aththidiya yesterday evening (Oct 13) at the inauguration of the College of Military Engineering and Technology, Sri Lanka (CMETSL) gracing as the Chief Guest of the ceremony.
As we have moved onto focus towards a collective effort to achieve sustainable development in Sri Lanka, it is high time to properly organise the military engineers in Tri- Services under one professional entity and obtain their expertise for nation-building effectively while giving them the required professional recognition.
Chairman of the Engineering Council of Sri Lanka Eng. Tilak De Silva graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.
Gen. Gunaratne, appreciating this type of a joint and synergistic approach towards achieving excellence among the engineering professionals from Tri Services of Sri Lanka and the hierarchical civilian engineering associations of Sri Lanka, extended his sincere appreciation towards all stakeholders for joining their hands together to initiate such a great leap forward in the history of engineering in the country.
The Defence Secretary said he expects that CMET facilitates an encouraging environment for synergising the engineering efforts of Tri Forces to develop various engineering solutions for the benefit of the country without limiting to the military.
“Forming a new professional entity would effectively assist in speeding up projects and closely collaborate for various purposes, as specified in the College mandate. In this context, it is envisioned that CMETSL will drive through the professional engineering management approach which differs significantly from a traditional mindset”, Gen. Gunaratne said.
“These new areas of engineering had been incorporated into military engineering to face threats and challenges in modern warfare, including information warfare and asymmetric threats”, the Defence Secretary added, highlighting the significance of military engineering.
Former Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Prof. Kapila Perera delivered the Keynote Speech at the event. The CMETSL website was launched during the ceremony.
President of CMETSL presented the mementoes to Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne , the Guest of Honour Eng. Tilak De Silva, the Keynote Speaker Prof. Kapila Perera and to a few other senior Officers, during the occasion.
At the outset, President of CMETSL Rear Admiral Ravi Ranasinghe delivered the Welcome address.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Shavendra Silva, Navy Commander Nishantha Ulugethenna, Vice Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Maj, Gen. Milinda Peiris, Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army Maj. Gen. Jagath Kodithuwakku, Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Air Force Air Vice Marshal Udeni Rajapaksha, Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Maj, Gen. Sujeewa Senarath Yapa, Director General (DG) of Centre for Defence Research and Development Maj. Gen. Renuka Rowel, President-Elect, Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka, Eng. Dr. Kamal Laksiri, Senior Officers of Tri-Services and distinguished guests were present at the occasion.
