Bio-Data as submitted & certified by the candidate
Eng. Mahesh Nalin Chandana Samarawickrama graduated in 2000 with a BSc. (Second Class Honours (Lower)) degree in Mining & Minerals Engineering from University of Moratuwa. He obtained his MSc from University of Peradeniya in 2004 and MBA from University of Moratuwa in 2005.
He became a Member of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) in the year 2007. He is currently a Fellow of the IESL and a served as referee for large number of Technical Papers for the Journal “ENGINEER”. He is also a committee member of the IESL Education Standing Committee and IESL Professional Affairs Committee for the 2020/2021, 2022/2023,2023/2024 sessions, as well as in the IESL Professional Standards Management Committee for the 2023/2024 session. Moreover, he is the current Sub Editor of Sri Lanka Engineering News (SLEN), the official E-Newsletter of the IESL and also serves as an Editorial Board Member of the IESL.
He has published 15 refereed journal and conference publications and presently reading for his PhD at the University of Moratuwa.
He commenced his career in 2000 as a Temporary Demonstrator at the University of Moratuwa. In 2001 he joined Lanka Mineral Sands Limited, as a Mining and Mineral Processing Engineer. In 2003 he joined Foundation & Waterwell Engineering (Pvt) Ltd as a Geotechnical Engineer and in 2004 he joined Neat Solutions (Pvt) Ltd as a Consultant Geotechnical Engineer. In 2008, he joined the Open University of Sri Lanka and assumed duties as a Senior Lecturer, the position he holds up to date.
He has served as a consultant/ senior geotechnical engineer for large number of national level projects for more than a decade, which includes, rehabilitation of existing bridges in North, North Central and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka in 2004, rehabilitation of Existing Fisheries Harbours at Panadura, Beruwala, Kudawella, Hikkaduwa, Puranawella and Mirissa from 2004 to 2007, infrastructure improvement project of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka- Olluvil in 2006, proposed New Sea Port in Hambanthota in 2006, rehabilitation of existing slipway and the pier of Sri Lanka Navy Base at Galle in 2006, rehabilitation of existing bridge at Irakkandy and proposed new bridges at Pudawkattu and Yan Oya in 2007, tsunami affected area infrastructure Improvement Programme by USAID from 2066 to 2008, proposed new bridges at Ralkuli, Gangei, Upparu, Kanyankerni and Valachchanei of A15 road in 2008, preliminary detailed investigations and foundation specialist for Tank Farm project for proposed new sea port at Hambantota-Sri Lanka in from 2008 to 2010, geotechnical investigations for four main mobile telecom service providers (Dialog Telekom, Etisalad, Mobitel and Airtel) of Sri Lanka in constructing their Telecom Towers from 2008 to date, geotechnical Investigations for extension of Southern Highway from Matara to Hambantota, Phase I- from Matara to Kadawedduwa (From 0.00 km To 13.30km)Section III-From 4.50km to 6.87km in 2011, Outer Circular Expressway -OCH-NSII- From Kerawalapitya to Kadawatha from 2014 to 2019 and Central Expressway Project- Section I- Package II- From Mirigama to Kadawatha from 2016 to date.
He is also a cricketer who represented some of the reputed cricket clubs (Bloomfield C & AC, Negombo CC, Sebastianites C & AC) in the Division I tournaments and was the schools island best bowler in group B in 1993-94 tournament representing Raddoluwa Maha Vidyalaya.
Election Statement as submitted & certified by the candidate
My experience mainly includes teaching undergraduates in the field of Civil Engineering and serving as a geotechnical engineer in many national level projects.
I have been serving as a Council Member of the IESL for the past two sessions (2022/2023 and 2023/2024). Moreover, I have been serving as a Council Member of the Engineering Council of Sri Lanka (ECSL) for the same sessions. During this period, I have been actively involved in the matters related to the engineering education as well as professional matters related to the engineers. Moreover, I have initiated sports activities for IESL Members and organised Interprovincial Chapter Cricket tournament in 2024 for the first time in the IESL.
As Engineers, we will have to face enormous challenges in next few years, especially with regard to booming private engineering education, encroachment of non-qualified professionals into the fields of engineering and possible flooding of professionals & products to the local industries/markets though proposed bilateral trade agreements. As a Council Member I have taken every effort in respective forums to stand against aforementioned challenges and safeguard the rights of our members.
If elected, I am confident that I would be able to continue with my service safeguarding the profession of engineering and rights of our members.
