IESL WA Chapter Offers Support for Post-Ditwa Infrastructure Rebuilding

By PUBLICITY DIVISION (IESL)

A delegation from the Western Australia (WA) Chapter of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) recently met with the President of the IESL and Officers to explore avenues of cooperation in rebuilding infrastructure damaged by the Cyclone Ditwa disaster. The delegation comprised Eng. Lenin Warnakulasooriya, Eng. Dharshani Totagamuwa, and Eng. Nadika Mirihana.

The discussions focused on how the IESL WA Chapter could contribute to the IESL–IESL Technical Advisory Programme, which has been initiated to support the assessment, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of critical infrastructure affected by the cyclone. The programme aims to mobilise local and overseas expertise to provide independent technical guidance for recovery efforts in sectors such as transport, water supply, drainage, power, and public infrastructure.

During the meeting, the delegation expressed the willingness of IESL members based in Australia to share technical knowledge, international best practices, and professional experience gained from working in disaster-resilient infrastructure and climate-adaptive engineering systems. Emphasis was placed on the value of coordinated professional input to ensure that rebuilding efforts follow the principle of “building back better” while strengthening resilience against future extreme weather events.

In addition to post-disaster recovery initiatives, the meeting also addressed professional development matters of mutual interest. The delegation and IESL leadership discussed opportunities for mutual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities that would benefit members in Sri Lanka as well as those based in Australia.