Pavithra roots for utilising expertise of local engineers

Irrigation, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said that it is important to get the expert consulting services of local engineers instead of such services from foreign engineers for government development projects.

The Minister stated this while participating in the 43rd Annual Conference of the Public Service Engineers Association held at the Battaramulla Suhurupaya Auditorium on March 28.

The Minister pointed out that there are skilled engineers second to none in Sri Lanka, and therefore, it is not important to get the expert services of foreign engineers except in an essential situation.

The Minister further said, “Many countries take foreign loans and launch development projects. We are also like that. Some lending institutions impose conditions that they require the services of foreign consultants for those development projects. There is no need for expert advice from foreign engineers, our country has talented engineers and their services can be availed for the country.

“After I took over the Irrigation Ministry, it was pointed out that we do not need the expert advice of foreign engineers in the discussions with foreign lending institutions. In view of the crisis we are currently facing, engineers migrating to other countries have increased rapidly. This is due to the fact that they are not getting salaries commensurate with their professional qualifications.

“Out of 1,520 posts in the State Engineering Service, 376 posts are vacant so far. The migration of engineers to foreign countries has become a major problem and in order to remedy this situation, I would like to inform the President and the Government, and especially the Cabinet of Ministers, and take necessary measures speedily.”

The Minister emphasized that it is an urgent need to direct the farmers to export-based commercial agriculture, by which Sri Lanka can produce the food it needs within the country and save a lot of money which is sent abroad.

Senior Engineer Vidyajothi, Dr. A.D.S. Gunawardena, Prime Minister’s Adviser Sisira Wickramarachchi, Chairman of Public Service Engineers Association Engineer B. Kumudulal, its Secretary Engineer L.S. Suriya Bandara and many other members of the State Engineers Association participated.

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