Our History
Tracing the remarkable journey of IESL WA from its founding to the present day
IESL Founded
The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka was established as the first professional engineering body in South Asia
Royal Charter
IESL received its Royal Charter, becoming a chartered professional body recognized internationally
WA Chapter Established
The Western Australia Chapter of IESL was founded by pioneering Sri Lankan engineers in Perth
Membership Growth
Chapter membership grew to over 100 members with regular technical events and networking sessions
Industry Recognition
IESL WA gained recognition from Engineers Australia and established formal collaboration agreements
Digital Transformation
Embraced digital platforms to continue serving members during challenging times with virtual events
Thriving Community
Today, IESL WA continues to grow with 500+ members, hosting numerous events annually
Our History
The Story of IESL WA
The IESL Western Australia Chapter was established in the late 1990s by a group of pioneering Sri Lankan engineers who recognised the need for a professional community to support their peers in Western Australia.
The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka
The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) was founded in 1906 as the Engineering Association of Ceylon, making it one of the oldest engineering institutions in Asia. It was formally constituted as The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka in 1996 and is incorporated by an Act of Parliament.
IESL achieved a landmark milestone in 2014 when it became a signatory to the Washington Accord — an international accreditation agreement that recognises the substantial equivalency of engineering degree programmes accredited by its member bodies.
IESL WA — Our Chapter's Journey
The Western Australia Chapter of IESL was established to serve the growing Sri Lankan engineering community in WA. In the decades since its founding, the chapter has grown from a small social gathering into a formal professional organisation with hundreds of active members.
Key Milestones
- Late 1990s: IESL WA Chapter established by founding members in Perth
- Early 2000s: Formal registration and first Annual General Meeting held
- 2006: Chapter celebrates 100th anniversary of IESL founding with special events
- 2014: IESL becomes signatory to the Washington Accord
- 2015: Launch of IESL WA Newsletter
- 2016: IESL WA Constitution amended and updated
- 2020s: Digital transformation — launch of new website and online event delivery
- 2024-2025: Celebrating 25+ years of serving the WA community
Dedication
Generations of dedicated volunteers have built IESL WA into the thriving organization it is today
Collaboration
Strong partnerships with industry, academia, and community organizations have amplified our impact
Growth
From humble beginnings with a handful of members, we've grown into a vibrant community of 500+ engineers
Write the Next Chapter With Us
Be part of our continuing story of excellence and innovation
Join IESL WA
