Eng. (Dr.) Kokila Arandara

Bio-Data as submitted & certified by the candidate

Eng. (Dr.) Kokila Arandara is a Chartered Civil Engineer, academic, researcher and management professional with multidisciplinary experience in civil engineering, manufacturing engineering, sustainability, operational excellence, consultancy and higher education. He graduated from the University of Moratuwa with a BSc (Hons) in Civil Engineering in 2006 and obtained an MSc in Civil Engineering from the same university in 2008. He holds a Diploma in Financial & Management Accounting with Merit from the National Institute of Business Management in 2007, an Executive Master of Business Administration from Asia e University, Malaysia in 2016, and a PhD in Civil Engineering from The Open University of Sri Lanka in 2024.

He enrolled with the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) as an Associate Member in 2007 and was elected to the class of Member and became a Chartered Engineer in 2026. He has served on the Civil Engineering Sectional Committee (CESC) since 2018, including as Joint Secretary during the 2019/2020 session, and serves as a CESC Member in the 2025/2026 session. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Professional Managers of Sri Lanka, a Lean Green Belt Practitioner and an Associate Professional of the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka since 2012.

His research focuses on sustainable construction, circular economy, construction and demolition waste, recycled concrete aggregates, biochar and sustainable infrastructure. His recent research has been published in Construction and Building Materials, Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, International Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies, and Springer Nature’s Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering. His recognitions include the Management Leadership Excellence Award 2025 – Sustainability & Circular Economy, Executive Director Category – 2nd Runner-Up; an NSF Research Awards 2010 Certificate of Commendation in Engineering Sciences & Architecture; and a Holcim Merit Award for undergraduate group research in 2006.

He commenced his career as a Postgraduate Researcher at the University of Moratuwa in December 2006. He subsequently joined MAS Holdings, progressing through the positions of Project Engineer, Factory Engineer, Deputy Manager–Engineering and Manager–Engineering during a 12-year industrial career from 2007 to 2019. His experience encompasses engineering projects, infrastructure, factory engineering, lean management, sustainability and operational performance.

In 2019, he founded Lean & Green Solutions (Pvt) Ltd. and served as its Founder/Director–CEO until January 2026, contributing to industry through engineering, lean management, sustainability and management consultancy. Since March 2026, he has served as a Senior Lecturer (Grade II) in the Department of Civil Engineering at The Open University of Sri Lanka, contributing to engineering education, research, professional development and industry engagement

Election Statement as submitted & certified by the candidate

As a candidate for Representative Member (above 40), I seek to bring to the IESL Council the perspectives of experienced engineers while strengthening the connection between generations of engineering professionals.

My career spans nearly two decades across civil engineering, manufacturing, engineering management, entrepreneurship, sustainability, research and academia. I have been associated with IESL since 2007 and have served on the Civil Engineering Sectional Committee since 2018, including as Joint Secretary in 2019/2020 and as a member in 2025/2026.

I believe experienced engineers have an important role in advancing professional standards, sharing industry knowledge, mentoring emerging professionals and strengthening the relevance of engineering to national development. At the same time, I strongly believe that the future of our Institution depends on creating opportunities for young engineers to participate, innovate and develop professionally.

If elected, I will work to represent members’ views, strengthen industry–academia–IESL collaboration, promote continuing professional development, sustainability and innovation, and encourage meaningful knowledge transfer between experienced and younger engineers. I will contribute with commitment towards a more connected, progressive and professionally respected engineering community.