DUBAI, July 2019: Signifying another milestone for Sri Lankan professionals living in the UAE, four main Sri Lankan professional associations that have been functioning in the UAE and representing over 1,500 Sri Lankan professionals, namely, the “Institution of Incorporated Engineers Sri Lanka” (IIESL) – UAE Branch, the “Institute of Quantity Surveyors Sri Lanka” (IQSSL) – UAE Chapter, the “Sri Lankan Quantity Surveyors – UAE” (SLQS-UAE) and the “Postgraduate Institute of Management Alumni – UAE” (PIMA-UAE) have joined hands to establish the “Sri Lankan Professionals Association” (SLPA) in the United Arab Emirates on 28 May 2019 under the patronage of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka to Dubai & Northern Emirates, and in the presence of Consul General Mr. Charitha Yattogoda.
SLPA- UAE was subsequently registered under MCI Middle East LLC, which is legally mandated to provide Association Management services, at a ceremony held in Radission Blu Hotel, Deira on 18 June 2019. This registration provides SLPA- UAE the authority to practice in accordance with the governing rules and regulations in the UAE and thereby formally function as a legally accepted professional association.
The SLPA-UAE intends to create a common platform for all Sri Lankan professional associations based in the UAE to come together under one umbrella and thereby leverage the enthusiasm and dedication of its members towards maintaining the highest standards of professional excellence, promoting and safeguarding their professions, in addition to promoting the image of professionals of Sri Lanka. The SLPA also has the mandate to further develop the level of professionalism among the members of the SLPA associations in various disciplines.
The Consulate General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and Northern Emirates played a leading role in bringing the four leading pr
ofessional associations in the UAE together under a common body for the first time in the UAE. Operating under a common banner, the SLPA aims to showcase the capabilities of its members and achieve greater heights through collective efforts. In addition, the SLPA intends to make their coalition even broader in future by involving other similar UAE-based associations for Sri Lankans.
As the UAE is home to around 300,000 Sri Lankan nationals consisting of a large number of professionals that includes quantity surveyors, bankers, charted accountants, engineers, hoteliers etc, it is expected that in time to come the scope of SLPA in UAE will expand further without limiting it only to the professionals belonging to the four founding associations. As such, SLPA in the UAE wishes to extend an open invitation to all Sri Lankan professionals living in UAE to join SLPA.
Those professionals who are interested in joining SLPA and for further information may Mr. Ajantha Premarathna, Chairman, SLPA at ajantats@eim.ae on on 00971 50 455 1526.
The first Executive Board of the SLPA appointed for 2019-2021 is as follows:
Chairman: Mr. Ajantha Premarathna (PIMA-UAE)
Vice-Chairman: Mr. Dhammika Gamage (IQSSL-UAE Chapter)
Secretary: Mr. Lalith Gallage (SLQS-UAE)
Assistant Secretary: Mr. Deepal Rajaguru (PIMA-UAE)
Treasurer: Mr. Nalaka Kantharachchi (IIESL-UAE Branch)
Assistant Treasurer: Mr. Lionel Gunathilaka (SLQS-UAE)
Media Coordinator: Mr. Channa Kasthuriarchchi (IQSSL-UAE Chapter)
Editor: Mr. Kusal Nanayakkara (PIMA-UAE)
Internal Auditor: Mr. Anura Jagodage (IIESL-UAE Branch)
Board Members:
Mr. Sisira Walaliyadde (IIESL-UAE Branch)
Mr. S. P. A. Keerthirathna (IQSSL-UAE Chapter)
Mr. Nalinga Handapangoda (SLQS-UAE)
The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to UAE and the Consul General to Dubai and the Northern Emirates are the Patrons of the SLPA.
The Executive Committee of the SLPA looks forward to further strengthening SLPA as a flagship organisation and consolidating their coalition in the UAE in future by implementing a number of initiatives and activities.
