A Meeting Between NERDC Chairman and Former Board Member of Colombo Dockyard.

The National Engineering Research and Development Centre (NERDC) of Sri Lanka recently hosted a significant meeting between its Chairman, Eng.Thilak Weerawarna, and Eng.Thilakasena Yakdehige, a distinguished professional who has held various key positions at Colombo Dockyard. The meeting, held at the NERDC headquarters, centered on exploring the potential for engineering innovation and its contribution to the economic growth of Sri Lanka.

Eng.Thilakasena Yakdehige’s extensive career includes serving as Engineer Docks, Dock Master, Projects Engineer, Development and Projects Manager, Yard Manager, and Member of the Board of Directors at Colombo Dockyard. He initially joined Colombo Dockyard in 1975 at the invitation of then Managing Director Mr. Raghunadan, following his tenure at the Port Commission (now Sri Lanka Ports Authority). Later, he served as Head of Yard Operations Services at Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (ASRY) in Bahrain until 2002. Upon returning to Sri Lanka, he represented one of Colombo Dockyard’s major shareholders as a director on its Board.

During the discussion, both leaders shared their insights on leveraging engineering advancements to address national challenges and unlock opportunities for sustainable development. Eng.Thilakasena Yakdehige emphasized the importance of bridging industry expertise with research and development to drive impactful projects that benefit the nation.

In a remarkable gesture of support, Eng.Thilakasena Yakdehige expressed his commitment to voluntarily contribute his vast knowledge and expertise to the NERDC. His involvement is expected to bring invaluable perspectives and guidance, further strengthening the Centre’s efforts to pioneer innovative solutions.

Chairman Eng.Thilak Weerawarna conveyed his gratitude for this generous offer and highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing engineering excellence in Sri Lanka. He noted that partnerships like these underscore the vital role of experienced professionals in fostering economic resilience and innovation.

NERDC is proud to have the opportunity to work alongside such a distinguished professional and looks forward to the transformative impact of this collaboration.