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SLEMA News Sri Lanka Energy Managers Association

No. 29, Fairfield Gardens, Colombo 08, Sri Lanka

Phone: 011 266 5737, Fax: 011 266 5738 E-mail: slema@sltnet.lk, Web site: www.slema.lk July - September, 2017

SLEMA held its annual sessions at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Colombo, on 28th July 2017. This year’s sessions theme was “Meeting Energy Needs of Mega Cities”. The event attracted a spectrum of participants from the state and the private sectors as well as from the general public. Honorable Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Minister of Power and Renewable Energy, in his keynote speech as the chief guest of the event, emphasized the importance of the involvement of professionals in preparation of plans to provide future energy demand.

Four virtuous resource persons shared their experiences and knowledge on ongoing activities, anticipated issues and feasible solutions focusing on future energy demand in Colombo and other major cities.

Eng. S. C. Diddeniya, Deputy General Manager (Distribution Coordination) of Ceylon Electricity Board and former Senior Project Coordinator at Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development explained the formation and characteristics of mega cities. Various factors are being considered when preparing plans to develop Colombo as a mega city.

Transportation demands larger share of total energy demand in mega cities all over the world. Eng. Shantha Weerasinghe, Metro Rail Consultant, presented latest technologies which can be adopted to cater passenger demand in Colombo.

Eng. S. C. Diddeniya

Eng. Shantha Weerasinghe

SLEMA Annual Sessions 2017

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Archt. Dr. Narein Perera, Senior Lecturer, Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa took listeners to a new dimension and explained the consequences which will be faced by Colombo if positioning of high rise buildings is done in an ad hock manner. Dr. Perera recommended a “Local Climate Zone” based approach to urban planning be adopted by Megopolis planners.

Prof. Sirimal Abeyratne, Department of Economics, University of Colombo, elaborated the economic advantages which can be obtained by concentrating businesses and people. Prof. Abeyrane emphasised that the location of cities like Colombo, Hambantota and Trincomalee inherits favourable features for international trading and those should be developed as mega cities to gain accelerated economic growth.

Presenters provided further clarifications to the specific questions which were raised by the audience at the panel discussion which was moderated by Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya, a past president of SLEMA.

The founder president of SLEMA, Prof. Mohan Munasinghe addressed the event and congratulated SLEMA on its successful journey from the beginning in early eighties up to this point. Further, he appreciated the performance of SLEMA members and encouraged them to excel further.

Dr. Narein Perera

Prof. Sirimal Abeyratne

Prof. Mohan Munasinghe Honourable Ranjith Siyambalapitiya

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SLEMA Annual General Meeting 2017

The 33rd Annual General Meeting of SLEMA was held at Cinnamon Lakeside hotel, Colombo on 29th July 2017. Following the presidents report and the presentation of financial statement, new office bearers were elected for the Board of Directors of SLEMA for the 2017/2018 session.

The AGM was followed by a fellowship and the Annual Dinner attended by SLEMA members and their families.

President Mr. Ronald Comester

Senior Vice President Mr. Harsha Wickramasinghe

Vice President Mr. Chamila Jayasekara

Joint Secretary Mr. Swetha Perera

Joint Secretary Mr. Chamila Delpitiya

Immediate Past President Prof. Rahula Attalage

Treasurer Ms. Tharanga Wickramarathna

Seminar Secretary Mr. Rasika Gamage

Elected Past President Mr. Ananda Namal

Board of Directors Mr. Kamal Illeperuma

Mr. Nimal Perera

Mr. Ravi Rupasinghe

Mr. Namiz Musafer

Mr. M. M. Ranjith Pathmasiri

Mr. Amila Wickramasinghe

Mr. L. Ariyadasa

Co-opted members

Mr. Ruwan Wijemanna

Mr. Saman Wijerathna

Mr. Mani Albert

Mr. P. G. S. Priyadarshana

Mr. C. M. S. M. Fazvi

Mr. Buddhika Dissanayaka

Co-opted members (invitee) Mr. Sanath Kumara

Mr. Kelum Gunasekara

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President’s Message

“ Sri Lanka Energy Managers Association (SLEMA) was started in 1984 and it was incorporated in parliament in 1994. The leaders of yesteryears had made this association from a tiny organization to a widely recognized and respected organization in energy related environment in Sri Lanka.

SLEMA has been rendering it service to the energy industry tremendously and its membership significantly. There are greater milestones SLEMA has accomplished with excellence. These are the success of SLEMA and I am fortunate enough to be the president of SLEMA at present.

I wish that I could retire from my leadership at the end of my tenure, that SLEMA be elevated higher and be heard in relevant occasions frequently and to be consulted by policy makers at critical instances in energy environment in future. In order to realize the above while accomplishing SLEMAs vision and mission., I need your help, courage, and support to SLEMA as you extended in the past. I thank SLEMA for entrusting me as the president and wish you all the best in achieving greater heights as stated above.”

Ronald Comester (President—SLEMA)

SLEMA Energy Management Forum

The 20th session of the SLEMA Energy Management Forum (EMF) was successfully held on 13th July 2017 at SLEMA Office. SLEMA organizes this forum as an activity for enhancing technical skills of the members.

In this session, Prof. Ajith De Alwis, Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Moratuwa shared his knowledge on the topic “Waste to Energy”. According to Prof. Alwis, Sri Lanka has its own example projects which convert waste to energy. Waste can be converted into an asset rather than a source for disasters through a proper waste management system. Participation of SLEMA members was appreciable and the event was concluded with a fellowship.

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New Members

Associate Members

Mr. K. W. B. Thilina Pradeep

Mr. Keshan Samarasinghe

Mr. Asanga Lankanath Deshapriya

Mr. G. A. Indrajith Mihindukulasuriya

Mr. Rasika Gunawardana

Ms. Shashikala Kumari Ranasinghe

Mr. Chanaka Samantha Panditha

Send your views and all energy related news and advertisements to be published in SLEMA News to:

The Editor, SLEMA News,

No. 29, Fairfield Gardens, Colombo 08.

Phone: 011 266 5737 Fax: 011 266 5738 E-mail: slema@sltnet.lk. Web: www.slema.lk

SLEMA Facebook Page

All SLEMA members are invited to join, the official Facebook page of SLEMA to keep in touch with SLEMA activities and to provide comments/suggestions.

www.facebook.com/slema84/

Changes at SLEMA Secretariat

Mr. Sumedha Madushan, the Office Assistant of SLEMA resigned from his post effective from 10th August 2017. SLEMA wishes Sumedha a successful career ahead whilst thanking for the services provided.

Ms. Chandani Gamanayake joined SLEMA as the Administrative Coordinator. She assumed duties of the post which was held by Mr. Hilary Fernando previously.

Mr. Amila Umesh Kumara joined SLEMA as an office clerk. He will be assisting SLEMA office staff in regular office activities as well as in SLEMA special events.

We welcome Chandani and Amila to SLEMA.