Eng. Lasitha Balasooriya

Bio-Data as submitted & certified by the candidate

Eng. Lasitha Balasooriya graduated in 2010 with a BSc (Hons) degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Moratuwa. He completed his Master’s in Manufacturing Management at the University of Colombo in 2015 and earned an MBA from the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), University of Sri Jayewardenepura in 2023, with a focus on business strategy and innovation. He is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer, a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), and a Steam System Optimization (SSO) expert.

He joined the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) as a Student Member in 2010 and became a Corporate Member in 2023. With over 15 years of industrial experience, Eng. Balasooriya currently serves as a Senior Engineering Manager at Michelin, where he leads a team of over 140 engineers and technicians across two manufacturing plants. He is responsible for driving operational efficiency, reliability, and sustainability through strategic initiatives and continuous improvement programs.

Throughout his career, he has played a key role in deploying Lean Six Sigma, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and the Michelin Manufacturing Way (MMW). These efforts have resulted in significant reductions in machine downtime, improved utilization, and cost savings through effective Capex and Opex planning. He also leads digital transformation and cybersecurity initiatives within the organization, ensuring alignment with ISO 50001:2018 and ISO 18001:2015 standards.

Beyond his corporate role, Eng. Balasooriya is deeply involved in academia and entrepreneurship. He serves as a Visiting Lecturer in Engineering Quality Management at NSBM Green University and in Engineering Management at Curtin University (Sri Lanka branch). His lectures emphasize the application of industry best practices to real-world engineering problems.

He also contributes to the advancement of robotics and innovation in Sri Lanka. He is the Local Organizing Chair for the Galle Robotic Meetup 2025, a national event aimed at promoting awareness and collaboration in the robotics domain. In addition, he is a Co-Founder and Director of ZGIRI Robotics (PVT) LTD, a growing start-up that provides industrial robotics solutions and technical training. The company focuses on bridging the gap between academia and industry, supporting students, SMEs, and large-scale enterprises in adopting cutting-edge technologies.

Alongside his entrepreneurial ventures, he provides consulting services through Business Transformation International (BTI), supporting businesses particularly MSMEs to enhance performance through engineering strategy, digital integration, and leadership development

Eng. Balasooriya is widely recognized for his dedication to engineering leadership, ethical responsibility, and sustainable innovation. He actively engages with stakeholders across government, industry, and academia to advocate for adaptive research, responsible manufacturing, and skills development. His commitment to professional growth, innovation, and community impact continues to shape the future of Sri Lanka’s engineering and industrial landscape.

Election Statement as submitted & certified by the candidate

With over 15 years of experience in engineering and manufacturing leadership, I bring a unique blend of industry insight, project execution, and global exposure to the IESL. Currently serving as a Senior Engineering Manager at Michelin, I also work closely with government and industrial stakeholders in an advisory capacity.

If elected, I am committed to fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among undergraduates and young engineers, empowering them to convert their ideas into impactful ventures. I will advocate for stronger collaboration between IESL and government organizations to provide structured support for innovation, commercialization, and applied engineering solutions, critical to Sri Lanka’s economic advancement through science and technology.

In addition, I aim to create more global exposure opportunities for young engineers, encouraging them to adapt international best practices into local contexts within their own start-ups or workplaces. My industrial network and international experience at Michelin will be an asset in driving this mission forward.

I believe engineering is not just a profession, it is a powerful tool for solving the country’s most pressing challenges. If elected, I will serve with dedication to uplift the profession and advance the role of engineers in national development.