NEWSLETTER VOLUME 03 ISSUE 03 - DECEMBER 2019
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1. Message from the New Chapter President - Queensland
 I am pleased to be stepping into the role of the Queensland Chapter President for the 2020 term and to open this conversation with you on our plans to take the Chapter forward building upon the momentum imparted in the initial years by our past management committees and a supportive membership.
At the very outset I should emphasise without exaggeration that it’s a daunting task to step into the shoes of our Immediate Past President Eng. Jayantha Wickramatunga and succeed him as the president. Jayantha has been a highly committed pioneer and an inspiring leader with an unwavering focus on establishing our fledgling chapter. He will continue to contribute in no small measure as a member of the new committee and I look forward to his guidance and active participation.
In the new management committee appointed at the AGM held on 01/12/19 we have some new faces and a mix of talent and experience with a formidable track record from the previous management committees reflecting our diversity cohesion and continuity. I welcome them all.
We cannot be oblivious to the impending changes in the socio-economic landscapes in the 2020 decade and their impacts both in Queensland and in Sri Lanka in planning our future direction and our members’ career progression.
The transitioning economy is high on the cards in Queensland.The future of the coal industry, mining industry, renewable energy initiatives, infrastructure growth plans, action on climate change, the prospects of hosting the 2032 Olympics are the hot topics of the day.
Expatriate Sri Lankan engineers are also watching the recent regime change and the associated new policy initiatives in Sri Lanka with renewed enthusiasm and optimism in contributing to the new programs.
The Immediate Past President & I had the great opportunity of participating in the Quarterly Provincial & Overseas Chapter meeting on 07/12/19 – the first to be conducted by the new IESL council - and presenting Queensland’s progress in 2019 while briefly outlining our future direction.
We are currently engaged with transitioning activities between the outgoing and new management committees in Queensland and I believe that we would be in a position to update you more specifically on our planned direction forward in January 2020.
I wish all a safe and a happy festive season.
Eng Asoka Tittagala
Bsc. Eng, MSc. Eng, MBA, MIE Aus , MIAME Aus
President of Queensland Chapter
The Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka
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To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping
- Chinese Proverb
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2. Message from the New IESL President
 It is with great pleasure I write this message to be published in the newsletter of the IESL Queensland Chapter as the President of the
Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka for the session 2019/2020.
Establishment of chapters has been the link between the headquarters situated in Colombo, Sri Lanka and the engineers working in other areas of the country as well as Sri Lankan engineers working overseas.
Chapters, whether they are local or abroad, provide a platform for the engineers to connect and share their knowledge and problem-solving experience with each other through various activities and events.
The newsletter is one such forum where members from distant areas can convey their thoughts, ideas, opinions and experience with fellow engineers. Engineering community can be handsomely rewarded through such interactions as its reach is boundless due to the advances in communication technology. Further, this can be considered as the vanguard of the institution since it represents the essence of the institution's professionalism.
Queensland Chapter, being one of the most active Australian chapters established by the IESL has been a harbour for Sri Lankan engineers who are working or residing in the state. Their efforts in establishing a very strong Sri Lankan engineering community in Queensland is admirable.
I would like to take this opportunity to felicitate the continuous publication of the IESL Queensland Chapter newsletter and hope that their voice would be heard not only by the Sri Lankan engineering community, but also by the international engineering community, and let this be the bridge between them.
Eng (Prof) S B S Abayakoon
President – IESL 2019/2020
The Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka
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The more you know, more you come to know, how little you know -Aristotle
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3. Message from the Immediate Past President
 I am very pleased to be sending this brief message to fellow engineers at the time I am stepping down as the President of the Chapter over the last three years.
The Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) is the first Sri Lankan professional body established in Queensland. We established the Chapter on 7th December 2016 which was 110 years after the establishment of IESL in 1906. The idea of a Queensland Chapter emerged at a get together where Dr S B Wijekoon who was the President of IESL (2014/15) visited Brisbane on 22 January 2015. Following this get together, IESL Council approved of the establishment of a working group with me as Chair to complete the groundwork. I had the opportunity to work with a professional group who completed fantastic groundwork and we registered the Chapter with Fair Trading Queensland on 7th December 2016. I sincerely thank Dr Wijekoon for his strategic initiative the benefits of which will be reaped by many generations to come.
Being the fledgling Chapter of IESL in Australia we committed to an active agenda with dedication over the past three years since its incorporation to rally our members and get our programs on the road. We have established a membership data base, delivered seven CPD events including a field visit and issued six newsletters. While delivering the assortment of our usual programs successfully, we are now operating state-of-the-art communications platforms in the form of our own web and social media tools (Face book and LinkedIn).
The focus of the new committee would not only be limited to attracting Sri Lankan Engineers to the Chapter, but would extend to promoting the Chapter beyond the Sri Lankan engineering community living in Queensland.
I wish to acknowledge the cooperation of a few key officials from Colombo, Dr S B Wijekoon, Eng Jayavilal Meegoda, Eng (Prof) T A Pallewatta. They extended tremendous support to me as Presidents of IESL in the past. Eng (Prof) Sarath Abayakoon - good luck in your new role as the President of the IESL. Thanks for your support.
Also my sincere thanks go to Dr Jagath Peris who assisted me as Ex CEO of IESL. Eng. Neil Abeysekeara as current CEO – I thank you and your staff for the continuous support.
Eng Jayantha Wickramatunga
B.ScEng MBA, FIEAust, FIESri Lanka, CPEng, NER, RPEQ, APEC Engineer, IntPE(Aus)
Immediate Past President of Queensland Chapter
The Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka
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Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them. -John C. Maxwell
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4. Message from the Secretary
 I am happy to be taking over the reins as the secretary of the chapter at a time of growth when our presence as significant contributors in the engineering landscape of Queensland is being increasingly felt by the public and there is renewed enthusiasm from prospective new members. As many would be aware - there are substantial formalities to be complied with and an associated volume of ongoing tasks behind the scenes to be accomplished to sustain the Chapter as a registered organisation in Queensland. My predecessor - the outgoing Secretary Eng Ajith Wickramaratne has successfully overcome many challenges during his tenure and we have gained much from his experiences and briefings.
I am hopeful of continuing the good work forward supporting the strategic direction of the Chapter in 2020
During 2018/19 year, fifteen Management Committee meetings were conducted along with two special general meetings on constitutional reform. The membership base has now grown to fifty-eight - as at 01/12/19. During the same year, initiatives were pursued to explore pathways to facilitate experienced Queensland Engineers to become Corporate Members of the IESL. Also three Continuous Professional Developments events - inclusive of one field visit - were conducted and three Newsletters were issued in the period under review.
Fifteen Management Committee meetings were conducted along with two special general meetings on constitutional reform. The membership base has now grown to fifty eight - as at 01/12/19. Initiatives were pursued to explore pathways to facilitate experienced Queensland Engineers to become Corporate Members of the IESL. Three Continuous Professional Developments events - inclusive of one field visit - were conducted and three Newsletters were issued in the period under review.
Comprehensive details of the above activities are included in the Management Committee Report presented by the outgoing secretary at the AGM conducted on 01/12/19. At the AGM a new Management Committee was appointed for the year 2020. Please also refer to the Sub Committee Reports elsewhere in this Newsletter for details.
The invaluable commitment and the contribution of the outgoing secretary Eng Ajith Wickramaratne towards the accomplishment of chapter objectives and successful outcomes from the above activities during this period is much appreciated and acknowledged. We look forward to his active participation and continued guidance as a member of the new management committee.
Eng Nimal L Pushpakumara
B.SC Eng, Grad Dip Eng, RPEQ
Secretary Queensland Chapter
Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka - 2019
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Technological progress is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal – Albert Einstein
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a) ICT
ICT Highlights of the Chapter – June to December 2019 are as follows:
Website Administration:
1. Added Facebook and LinkedIn page links to the website.
2. Updated CPD events and notices.
3. Introduced a cloud-based event calendar to the management committee.
4. Regularly Backed up website contents.
5. Updated the “About Chapter” page with new committee members.
6. Changed the website’s contact details.
7. Updated the latest CPD events.
Miscellaneous:
1. Designed and printed the IESL QLD Raffle Ticket for the draw on 17 May 2020.
2. Designed a flyer to promote the chapter membership.
3. Documents regularly archived.
4. Promoted Facebook and LinkedIn pages to the community.
5. Modified Chapter Letterheads with new contact details.
6. Assisted with publishing the Newsletter.
Eng Bandula Kapukotuwa
Chair - ICT Subcommittee
The IESL QLD Chapter
b) Technical
7th Continuous Professional Development Activity
“Climate change and water: an inconvenient link?”
  
The 7th Continuing Professional Development event of The Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) Queensland Chapter was held at QUT on 30 June 2019. The Presenter was Ashanta Goonetilleke, who is a Professor in Water & Environmental Engineering at QUT.
In his presentation (Climate change and water: an inconvenient link?), Ashantha spoke about the human dimensions of the impacts of climate change within the broader context of its impacts on the water environment. He specifically spoke about degradation of land and water resources, increased risk of flooding and draught, dislocation of people, spread of diseases and reduction in agricultural productivity. He provided statistical evidence and ‘real-world’ examples from Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Australia to demonstrate some of these impacts which we have already started to experience.
Ashantha also presented a case study to highlight how local action can contribute to mitigating the impacts of climate change by sharing his experience with the Brisbane Airport Corporation on how they were able to reduce potable water use at the Brisbane Airport by 82% by replacing the use of potable water for various airport uses as much as practicable with roof water, stormwater runoff, sea water and treated waste water. The full presentation can be viewed using the Facebook link below:
The Management Committee of the Chapter takes this opportunity to thank Ashantha for his excellent presentation, everyone who attended the event, 4EB Sri Lankan Radio Group for the media coverage and QUT for their support in providing the meeting room.
Dr Kesawan Sivakumar
Member of Technical Sub-Committee,
The IESL QLD Chapter
c) Membership
As of 01 December 2019, the total membership, stands at 58 members, comprised of 1 Honorary Life Member, 2 Fellow Members, 15 Members, 2 Resident Members, 13 Associate Members and 25 Provisional Members
The current Provisional Membership category ceases end of 2019 and the proposed amendment inter-alia made provision for existing Provisional Members to apply and to be admitted as Resident Members of the Chapter
Guidance was provided to a Member of the Chapter to obtain corporate membership of EA through MRA pathway and the applicant was successful. The chapter requested the IESL to reciprocate MRA pathway and as a result of discussions with the IESL, a member of the Chapter with extensive Australian experience is currently going through the process outlined in the MRA pathway to obtain the IESL corporate membership
The Membership Committee developed a flyer and it was circulated among engineers
The membership drive will continue into 2020 and increasing enthusiasm is noted among the eligible Queensland engineers who are yet to become members.
Process...
Dr Chanaka Abeysinghe
Chair – Membership Sub Committee
d) Social
A fund-raising Raffle has been launched and tickets are currently in circulation.
The raffle offers five prizes to a total value of $1200 and will be drawn on 17th May 2020. The funds accumulation target of this exercise is $2000. Five Brisbane entrepreneurs have gracefully sponsored the prices.
A new Sri Lankan film from the Cinemas circuit is currently being negotiated to be acquired for public exhibition in Brisbane as a new fund-raising venture. More details would be available in Quarter (1) of 2020.
If you would like to purchase tickets, please contact Ziyath on 0416102995 or ammziadh@gmail.com
Scientists investigate that which already is. Engineers create that which has never been
Albert Einstein
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6. Mechanical Engineering Education – A Queensland Perspective
 Being geographically the second largest state of Australia with a heavy reliance on export oriented primary industries Queensland presents an abundance of opportunities for Mechanical Engineers. Public Utilities in South East Qld and other major regional centres also offer significant opportunities for Mechanical Engineers in the design operation and maintenance of their process facilities.
Central & North Qld mining regions are characterised by heavy mechanical plant/refining facilities related to process plant, open cut/underground mining and port operations. Mechanical engineers play vital roles in these industries as – design engineers/project engineers/ project managers/reliability engineers/safety specialists. etc.
Many regional universities of Queensland deliver engineering education programs to produce the local complement of engineers needed to fulfil the continuous operational needs and expansions of these industries. The modes of delivery and course contents of Mechanical Engineering programs have changed over time in response to the evolving technology and the changing business landscape.
Dr. Wijitha Senadeera a Lecturer of the University of Southern Qld (USQ) currently engaged in the teaching/planning /delivery/industry liaison of engineering courses presents a firsthand insight into the recent advances of Mechanical Engineering education in Qld.
[ Read More...]
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Mechanical Engineers - build the weapons. Civil Engineers – build the targets
Author Unknown
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7. A Fly in – Flyout (FIFO) Experience
 The progressive development of mining, resources and energy industries with operations spread across regional Australia has seen the FIFO mode of engagement of the required workforce gaining popularity among employers over the past 20 years.
Qld & WA being the states holding the major stakes in resources the multinationals operating in these states carry the largest complements of FIFO workforces.
With the rapid uptake of renewable energy projects in Qld in the recent years solar energy industry has become the newest FIFO player for their medium duration (1- 3 yrs.) construction work on remote solar farms.
Kanil Kandalama a project engineer who has been involved in the construction management of large-scale solar farms in Qld & Victoria over the past two years narrates his experience as a FIFO worker here. He provides an inside view of the FIFO lifestyle with its pros and cons and its suitability to different age groups [ Read More...]
Unless a commitment is made there are only promises and hopes, but no plans.
Peter Drucker
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As we approach the end of year 2019 it is worthwhile pausing and reviewing the second half of the year in retrospect for Queensland activity with an impact on our membership and to enable a reasonable forward look on what the impending 2020 year/decade has in store for us.
The state was severely impacted by the high-level summer bushfire emergency in the 4 th quarter affecting many regional communities. The state has remained drought declared over 60% of its geography. Of particular significance to operational safety in the mining sector was the unacceptably high incidence of fatalities in Qld coal mines. Seven mining deaths occurred in an 18-month period to date – an unacceptable figure causing the temporary closure of some coal mines and prompting major legislation changes in employee safety and duty of care.
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/12/mine-d12.html
Industrial manslaughter legislation is soon to be enacted imposing hefty monetary penalties and jail terms on responsible owners.
On the infrastructure front Queensland currently has an investment pipeline of $A 146 billion worth of projects – second only to that of New South Wales.
https://www.dsdmip.qld.gov.au/infrastructure/infrastructure-planning-and-policy/state-infrastructure-plan.html
https://www.dsdmip.qld.gov.au/resources/plan/sip/sip-part-b-2019.pdf
Some of these projects are jointly funded by the State & Federal governments.
Up to the next state elections due in October 2020 – a fair volume of these projects can be reasonably speculated to be initiated translating mostly into construction related planning /project management jobs for civil engineers.
The much-awaited Cross River Rail Project of Southeast Qld has also received final approval and construction work would start in early 2020.
https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/
A noteworthy event of concern to the engineering profession in Queensland in this final quarter of 2019 was the court decision awarding $A 1b in compensation to the 2011 Brisbane flood victims. This reinforces as never before the need for the application of and adherence to stringent design & operational standards protecting professional indemnity in all our work.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-29/queensland-floods-class-action-victims-handed-partial-victory/11745632
The most recent optimistic development for the state this month is the approval received by Queensland to submit a bid for hosting the 2032 Olympic Games. The potential success of such a bid is reinforced by the fact that the 2017 Commonwealth Games hosted by Queensland has already installed significant infrastructure that can be upgraded for an Olympic event. It’s too early to speculate further – and the developments in 2020 must be watched with interest.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-22/brisbane-olympic-bid-2032-how-capital-will-look/10837264
With the appointment of the new management committee – the Editorial Board has also transitioned with a new Chair – Eng. Dinuk Weerasinghe being appointed as the Editor. The outgoing Editor wishes him well in the position and will offer him support to get this Newsletter into publication- and in his editorial functions in 2020.
Eng Asoka Tittagala – Outgoing Editor
Eng Dinuk Weerasekera – New Editor
The IESL QLD Chapter
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Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative. - Oscar Wilde
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9. Achievements of our members
Engineer of the year 2019 Queensland – Jothi Ramanujam
Jothi Ramanujam, a senior Engineer working with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) in Queensland was recently awarded the prestigious title ‘Engineer of the year 2019 Queensland’ by Engineers Australia. Rama was honoured and his achievement celebrated at a dinner held recently at a restaurant in Brisbane, which was attended by a large gathering of Sri Lankan engineers and their spouses. This large gathering was a testimony to the high esteem in which Rama is held both within the TMR and the larger community of Engineers in Queensland
https://austroads.com.au/latest-news/congratulations-jothi-ramanujam,-2019-professional-engineer-of-the-year
The audio recording of the interview recently conducted by Radio 4 EB in Brisbane with Rama on his award can be listened to below.
Rama's 4EB Interview
[ Read More...]
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Imagination is more important than knowledge - Albert Einstein
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We are sad to announce the passing away in November of Lalith Welikala of Brisbane who served as the Director of Geotechnical Services of the Department of Transport and Main roads in Queensland.
Lalith was a senior geologist who counted a period of service in several overseas placements including that in Sri Lanka, Russia, Bangladesh and Australia with many achievements in the field of geotechnical engineering to his credit.
He is survived by his wife and three children.
A full appreciation of the life of Lalith Weilkala will be published in our next Newsletter of 2020.
We wish him well in his afterlife.
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To believe in one’s dreams is to spend all of one’s life asleep.
– Chinese Proverb
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