IESL Launches Entrepreneurship Forum 2025: A Spark of Innovation Ignites the Engineering Spirit
By Eng. Jasmine Nanayakkara, Chairperson of the Entrepreneurship Forum 2025
In a powerful convergence of innovation, leadership, and engineering excellence, the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) inaugurated the Entrepreneurship Forum 2025 under the inspiring theme “A Spark of Innovation”. Held at the Wimalasurendra Auditorium, the hybrid event brought together esteemed engineering leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry pioneers to energize the next era of entrepreneurial impact within the engineering domain.
The evening commenced with a professional registration and guest welcome, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the traditional oil lamp—a symbolic act to illuminate the pathway to knowledge, progress, and prosperity.
A Distinguished Gathering of Engineering Leaders
The event was graced by a host of eminent figures from IESL and the broader engineering community, including:
- Eng. Granie Jayalath, President, IESL
- Prof. Eng. Niranjanie Rathnayake, Past President, IESL (2018)
- Dr. Eng. Kamal Laksiri, Past President, IESL (2023)
- Eng. Neil Abesekera, CEO/Executive Secretary, IESL
- Eng. Proboda Jinasena, Vice President, IESL
- Prof. Eng. Chandana Gamage, Council Member
- Eng. Samantha Mangala , Former Chairperson, Entrepreneurship Forum 2025
- Eng. Jasmine Nanayakkara, Chairperson, Entrepreneurship Forum 2025
- Eng. Heminda Jayaweera, Guest Speake , Executive Director of TRACE Sri Lanka
Additionally, the event saw the participation of IESL Council Members, invited professionals, and a vibrant audience of in-person and online attendees, all of whom were warmly welcomed by Eng. Samantha Mangala, the Former Chairman of the Entrepreneurship Forum 2024. The session was professionally compeered by Eng. Nawodana and Eng. Sajani Totagamuwa, who seamlessly guided the evening’s proceedings.
Opening remarks and formal introductions set the stage for the Forum’s vision and purpose. Eng. Granie Jayalath, President of IESL, delivered a compelling keynote on the role of entrepreneurship in engineering. He emphasized how entrepreneurial thinking is becoming a core competency for engineers in today’s global innovation landscape.
This was followed by a visionary address titled “Charting the Course – Roadmap to Innovation” delivered by Eng. Jasmine Nanayakkara, Chairperson of the Entrepreneurship Forum 2025. In her strategic presentation, she unveiled the Forum’s dynamic agenda for the year, which includes interactive brainstorming and problem-solving sessions, the creation of a national database of engineering entrepreneurs, and a series of guest lectures and professional networking events. The roadmap also features capacity-building webinars, knowledge-sharing forums, industry field visits, and exposure programs aimed at bridging academia, innovation, and enterprise. A major highlight for 2025 will be the Engineering Entrepreneurship Bootcamp (EEB), along with a dedicated startup product exhibition and investor pitching event set to take place during Techno Exhibition 2025. Her presentation was enriched by a creative “memories” video montage, capturing both the Forum’s impactful journey and its bold aspirations for the year ahead.
Scaling Innovation: The Entrepreneurial Journey
The evening’s keynote lecture, titled “Startup Scaling Up!”, was delivered by Eng. Heminda Jayaweera, a leading voice in engineering entrepreneurship and innovation. His session offered deep insights into startup acceleration, identifying repetitive model, strategic scaling, and real-world innovation journeys—leaving the audience inspired and equipped with practical knowledge to pursue their own entrepreneurial paths.
Celebrating Community and Collaboration
The formal session concluded with a vote of thanks and token of appreciation presented to the guest speaker and key contributors. A group photo session captured the spirit of camaraderie and shared vision that defined the evening.
As the clock turned past 7:15 PM, attendees transitioned into a vibrant networking session over refreshments, sparking conversations, connections, and collaborative opportunities.
With its successful launch, the Entrepreneurship Forum 2025 is poised to become a cornerstone platform for engineering-driven innovation in Sri Lanka. Through leadership, inclusivity, and purpose, IESL continues to empower engineers not only to design solutions—but to lead ventures that create value for communities, industries, and the planet.
