Born: 1942 (Jaffna, Sri Lanka)
Biography:
Premala Sivaprakasapillai Sivasegaram, born on April 22, 1942, in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, is a renowned engineer and a trailblazing figure in Sri Lanka’s engineering history. She is celebrated as the country’s first female engineer and the first female civil engineer. Sivasegaram’s contributions to the field of engineering have not only paved the way for future generations of women but have also significantly impacted Sri Lanka’s infrastructure development.
Born into a family immersed in engineering, Sivasegaram was the daughter of Thambyapillai Sivaprakasapillai, an engineer working at the Colombo Port. Her early childhood was spent in Colombo until a tragic event forced the family to relocate back to their hometown of Jaffna. The Japanese bombing of the Colombo Port on Easter Sunday in 1942 prompted this move, which would ultimately shape Sivasegaram’s life.
Sivasegaram received her education at the renowned Ladies’ College in Colombo. It was here that her passion for engineering began to take root. In 1960, she entered the engineering faculty at the University of Ceylon, becoming the first female engineering undergraduate in the country. Four years later, she made history by becoming the country’s first female engineer.
Upon graduating, Sivasegaram began her career as an instructor in the engineering faculty at the University of Ceylon. Her exceptional abilities and thirst for knowledge led her to pursue further studies. Thanks to a scholarship to Somerville College, Oxford, she earned her doctorate degree in structural engineering. During her time at Oxford, Sivasegaram represented Somerville College at the International Conference for Women Engineers and Scientists in 1967.
While studying in England, Sivasegaram joined the British Women’s Engineering Society in 1966. In 1969, she actively participated in their launch of the first Women in Engineering Year, further cementing her commitment to promoting gender equality in the field. Her international experiences not only broadened her horizons but also empowered her to challenge gender stereotypes and advocate for women’s rights in engineering.
In 1978, Sivasegaram achieved yet another milestone in her career. She became the first female chief structural engineer in Sri Lanka, serving in the Designs Office in Colombo. Her expertise and leadership played a pivotal role during the introduction of open economic policies in 1977 by President Junius Richard Jayawardene. Sivasegaram’s contribution to Sri Lanka’s economic development cannot be understated.
Despite her success, Sivasegaram faced numerous challenges throughout her career. The Black July riots in 1983 compelled her to temporarily leave Sri Lanka and seek refuge in England. However, once normalcy was restored, she returned to the country she passionately served, continuing her pursuit of excellence in engineering.
Sivasegaram’s remarkable achievements have not gone unnoticed. In 2015, she was honored with the ‘Excellence in Engineering Award’ by the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka. This recognition served as a testament to her exceptional skills and enduring impact on the engineering profession.
Moreover, in March 2019, Sivasegaram was celebrated as one of twelve female change-makers in Sri Lanka by the parliament, coinciding with International Women’s Day. This acknowledgment further solidified her status as a pioneer for women’s empowerment and highlighted her significant role in Sri Lanka’s history.
Today, Premala Sivaprakasapillai Sivasegaram’s legacy continues to inspire future generations of engineers, particularly women, in Sri Lanka and beyond. Her unwavering determination, pioneering achievements, and dedication to breaking barriers have cemented her as a trailblazer in the engineering world and a beacon of hope for aspiring engineers.
Awards:
– Excellence in Engineering Award (2015) by the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka.