Eng. Dilan Thilanga

Bio-Data as submitted & certified by the candidate

Eng. Dilan Thilanga is a Chartered Electrical Engineer with over 13 years of experience in sustainable MEP system design, consultation, installation, testing, and commissioning. He holds a B.Sc. Eng. (Hons.) degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Moratuwa (2011) and has completed his MBA at the Postgraduate Institute of Management, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. He is a Chartered Engineer (IESL), Chartered Professional Engineer (Engineers Australia), International Professional Engineer (Sri Lanka), and is listed under both the National Engineering Register (Australia) and the Building Services Engineering Directory (Sri Lanka).

He began his career at Shin Nippon Lanka Pvt Ltd in 2012, contributing to several high-profile hotel developments, including Heritance Negombo. In 2015, he joined Abans Engineering, where he played key roles in delivering major MEP projects such as Colombo City Centre and One Galle Face. In 2024, he was appointed Head of Engineering at Abans Electricals PLC, where he led the restructuring of the engineering department and its core processes. He has since spearheaded solar and electrical engineering projects exceeding 60 MWp across commercial and industrial sectors, overseeing planning, design, QA/QC, execution, delivery, and after-sales support of complex solar PV solutions.

Eng. Thilanga has extensive experience in LV/MV power distribution, solar PV system design, QA/QC implementation, MEP coordination, and client stakeholder engagement. He has conducted project risk assessments, ensured compliance with international standards, and successfully managed cross-functional teams across large-scale commercial, hospitality, and industrial environments. He has also played a key role in mentoring and training over 100 undergraduate engineering interns through structured internship programs.

He currently serves as the Secretary of the Building Services Engineering Sectional Committee (BSESC) at IESL for the 2024/2025 session, having been an active contributor since 2016. His leadership in organizing public lectures, technical webinars, and field visits has helped BSESC earn recognition as the best-performing sectional committee across several sessions. From 2016 to 2019, he was actively involved in the Techno Exhibition, leading the delivery of technical exhibits on intelligent lighting, smart building automation, and BMS for green buildings.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Eng. Thilanga represented IESL in a CSR project supporting the ICU expansion at IDH Hospital. He also served on the School-Level CSR Committee during the 2022/2023 session and contributed to various CPD initiatives. He has delivered public lectures on lightning protection systems, Wi-Fi integration, and audio-visual technologies in hospitality design. He is also a visiting lecturer at institutions such as ITUM – University of Moratuwa, University of Vocational Technology, and City School of Architecture.

In 2025, he presented his MBA research titled “Establishment of a Sustainable and Cost-Effective Premium Scotch Bonnet Pepper Farming Business” at the PIM Annual Research Conference, where it was recognized among the best research presentations. He is a GreenSL® Associate Professional with the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka.

Eng. Thilanga’s multidisciplinary expertise, strong leadership, and dedication to sustainable engineering have earned him a respected reputation in the profession. He remains committed to advancing building services engineering through innovation, knowledge sharing, and professional service.

Election Statement as submitted & certified by the candidate

I am a Chartered Electrical Engineer with over 13 years of experience in the design, execution, and commissioning of MEP and renewable energy projects across commercial, hospitality, and industrial sectors. I currently serve as Secretary of the Building Services Engineering Sectional Committee (BSESC) of IESL and have been an active contributor since 2016, supporting field visits, public lectures, the Techno Exhibition, CSR programs, and other professional activities.

My professional journey includes leading multidisciplinary engineering teams, establishing and optimizing business processes, developing structured training programs, and mentoring over 100 engineering undergraduates. As a GreenSL® Associate Professional and a visiting lecturer at multiple universities, I am passionate about bridging industry expertise with academic development while advancing sustainable engineering practices.

If elected to Council, I will bring my technical acumen, leadership experience, and strong commitment to professional service to support the Institution’s goals. I am particularly dedicated to enhancing engagement with young engineers, strengthening CPD initiatives, and ensuring that members’ voices are heard in shaping the future of our profession.