A new meaning to the Lovers’ Day!

By Eng. H. Chandana Kumarasiri

1st Raw (Standing from Left to right):
Eng. M.J.M. Buddhika Yahampath, Mr. Sumith Karunaratna, Eng. Thilak Jayathunga, Dr. Loshaka Perera, Eng. Arjuna Manamperi, Eng. Lalith Pallegama, Eng. P. H. Gunasinghe, Eng. Neil Abeysekara, Eng. (Ms.) Kamala Gunawardena, Eng. Gihan Ranasinghe

2nd Raw (Seated from left to right):
Eng S.A. Witaana, Eng. B.C. Sooriyaarachchi, Eng. (Ms.) M.S. Sandeepani , Eng. Chaminda Jayasinghe, Eng. D.S.B. Dissanayake, Eng. Chandana Kumarasiri, Eng. Rohan J. Fernando, Eng. Aruna Somadasa, Eng. R. Ganeshwaran, Dr.(Ms.) Ishani Dias, Eng.(Ms.) Kayaththiry, Eng. N. Jathavan, Eng. Dylan Rayen
Photo Credit: Eng. Kokila Arandara

Lovers’ day is widely celebrated in many countries, including Sri Lanka. It is most associated with romantic love, with millions of Valentine's Day cards being exchanged each year.  Gifts of flowers or a single red roses are sent with romantic messages to loved ones annually. 
Engineers of Civil Engineering Sectional Committee (CESC) of Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL), thought of dedicating this year’s Lovers’ Day for the safety of the lives of our loving family members and friends which is more appropriate in today’s context. A program was initiated “DRIVE SMART! SAVE LIVES!” at Kottawa Highway Interchange with industry experts and authority representatives on the Lovers’ day (14th February 2021) to fulfill the following objectives.

• To increase driving discipline among the general public to reduce the number of accidents that occur mainly due to negligence, indiscipline etc. when driving vehicles.
• To influence responsible government institutions / authorities to engage in more Research and Development to implement engineering solutions.
• To influence law enforcement authorities to adhere to even more strict approaches related to accident prevention.

It was highlighted in the event, that traffic accidents are one of the TOP TEN of the most contributing factors to the deaths in Sri Lanka.   

Leaflets and stickers that carrying massages about the safe driving and facts of traffic accidents were distributed among drivers on the same day.

President-Elect, Eng. Arjuna Manamperi, CEO & Executive Secretary, Eng. Neil Abeysekera, Deputy Director – RDA (Highway Management), Eng. P. H. Gunasinghe, Chief Inspector (Sri Lanka Police), Mr. Sumith Karunaratna, President-CESC of IESL, Eng. Lalith Pallegama, office bearers of CESC of IESL and members of IESL participated to the event.

 

 

 

Eng. H. Chandana Kumarasiri

Eng. H. Chandana Kumarasiri graduated from the University of Peradeniya in 2006 is a Chartered Civil Engineer. He is a Geotechnical and Structural Engineer by profession. Currently he is working as the Senior Engineer of the New Kelani Bridge Construction Project (Package 1 – JMT-JV). He is serving as a Member of Civil Engineering Sectional Committee of IESL.