Bio-Data as submitted & certified by the candidate
Eng. Kamala Gunawardena is a Civil Engineer, with a B. Sc Degree (1984) from the University of Peradeniya and a Post Graduate Diploma in Construction Management (1994) from the University of Moratuwa. She is a Fellow Member (2007) and an International Professional Engineer (2020) of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL).
She continues as a Council Member of the IESL, a Fellow Representative in 2020-2021, and 2021-2022, and the Chairman/ CESC in 2022-2023 and organized knowledge-sharing sessions bridging the gap between virtual and physical events and created interactive sessions enhancing knowledge in engineering/non-engineering as well.
During 2023/2024, as Chairman of the CPD Committee, she served the membership with esteemed energy and took leading roles in many areas. She delivered fruitfully as the Chairman CPD Committee enabling members in many disciplines to develop their career opportunities and to enhance relevant knowledge through the most appropriate CPDs.
She made 25 CPDs possible this session, including Engineers Hour and Think Tank Programs. She served the members by organizing panel discussions and workshops with proficient resource personnel, locally/internationally. Her services at ‘techno2023, and techno2024’ is noteworthy.
As a Council member, she participated in all Standing Committees, Water Forum, Women Engineers’ Forum, History and Heritage Forum and Registration Board. Co-chairman of the Transport Sector Committee of the IESL is another official commitment of her for the current session.
Eng. (Mrs.) Gunawardena is a member of The Association of Consulting Engineers Sri Lanka (ACESL), a Forum Member of the Organization of Professional Association (OPA), and a member of the Chamber of Construction Industry (CCI). She served in the Council of the ACESL since 2017, and as the President during 2018/2019, for the betterment of the Consulting Engineers. She represented ACESL at the FIDIC International Infrastructure Conference in Berlin, Germany in 2018.
She is a member of the Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya – Colombo Chapter, as well as a life member of the Highway Engineering Society since 2019.
She has attended several seminars, courses, and workshops internationally in Singapore, Sweden, India, and Bangladesh during her position as a Highway Engineer. Participation in such events enabled her to gain valuable experiences and exposure to serve the country better.
She was associated with the highway sector for more than three decades. In 1985 she joined RDA as a Trainee Engineer and thereafter held many senior positions. In 1991, she joined Road Construction & Development Company (Pvt) Ltd (RC&DC) and held senior positions. Subsequently, she joined the National Road Safety Secretariat of the Ministry of Highways (NRSS). Since 2004, she worked as a Consultant Engineer in different capacities designated as Resident Engineer/Local Rehabilitation Projects, Road Safety Consultant in SweRoad, Resident Engineer in Foreign Funded Projects, and Highway Consultant in major Expressway Projects; Outer Circular Highway to the City of Colombo in two Packages. She also worked as the Deputy Team Leader of the Central Expressway Section 1 (Kadawatha-Meerigama).
Her recent employment was as the Local Counterpart to the World Bank Project from January to April 2024; she currently works as a Highway Consultant. Her longstanding professional involvements make her an immense importance to the Nation.
Election Statement as submitted & certified by the candidate
I obtained my professional qualifications from IESL as a Member and as a Fellow in 1991 and 2007, respectively. With my professional career of more than three decades, I have gained effective leadership with superior communication skills and have sharpened teamwork and management skills. These qualities have led me to be a better decision-maker.
I am convinced that, as Professional Engineers, it is our utmost responsibility to play a vital role in maintaining high standards in supporting the professional development of the engineers which will in turn be beneficial to the country. With these fruitful experiences in leadership and management that I have gained through my long career in the construction industry in different capacities, I am determined to share and contribute the knowledge and experience gained, to the members of the Institution.
I will continue to elevate the standard of engineers in the society with a better understanding if I am elected to the Council. I will strive to uplift the Institution to continue to be a home for engineers of all ages and intend to lend a helping hand especially for young engineers to further their careers which will enable them to contribute towards the country’s development.
