SRI LANKA

Established 1906

ENGINEERING NEWS
The Newspaper of The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka Vol. 47, No 05, May 2012
Registered at the GPO as a Newspaper No. QD/86 /NEWS/2011

UTE partners with the IESL to launch the Electrical Engineers Forum 2012

University of Moratuwa wins back the Imagine Cup

by D K Withanage Head, Department of Information Technology University of Moratuwa

President, IESL, Eng. (Dr.) Ananda Ranasinghe making the welcome address

The panelists at discussion

pril 25 th 2012, Colombo: The inaugral electrical engineers forum of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) organized by its Electrical and Electronic Engineering Sectional Committee was held on 25th April 2012 and was marked by a panel discussion to discuss Electricity Pricing and Economic Regulation. The IESL, Sri Lankas premier professional engineering body, plans to make it an annual event with a mission to uplift the Engineering fraternity of the country. The forum was jointly organized with the United Tractors & Equipment Pvt Ltd (UTE), the pioneer in diesel power generator industry in Sri lanka.

Eng. (Dr) Ananda Ranasinghe welcoming the invitees present emphasized the importance of the theme of the Panel Discussion Electricity Pricing and Economic Regulation in todays context. The Forum commenced with a presentation by E n g . ( D r . ) T i l a k Siyambalapitiya followed by a panel discussion. E n g . ( D r . ) T i l a k Siyambalapitiya, stressed the relevance of this topic, especially in the light of recent electricity price hikes. Addressing the distinguished engineers, business executives and journalists he stated, The Electricity Act of 2009 provides us the Contd. on page 6...

he students of the University of Moratuwa made their alma mater proud again by winning the much coveted Imagine Cup Sri Lanka 2012 challenge trophy after four long years. The team V360 from the Faculty of Information Technology, University of Moratuwa emerged victorious at the grand competition held at Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology, Malabe on 27th April 2012. The team CR Coderzs from the Informatics Institute of Technology won the first runner-up. The team Sharks, also from the Faculty of Information Technology, University of Moratuwa won the second runners-up for their project V Learn. Microsoft Imagine Cup is the premier global student technology competition where student innovators around the globe use their creativity and the power of technology to build groundbreaking solutions that transform the world we live. The theme of the competition has been IMAGINE A WORLD WHERE TECHNOLOGY HELPS SOLVE THE TOUGHEST PROBLEMS; as declared by the United Nations as the

millennium development goal. The victorious team lead by Thurupathan Vijayakumar and much supported by members Malin De Silva and Rukshan Lakshitha Dangalla displayed exceptional effort and ingenuity throughout the grand event. The winning project Back2Earth is a software solution that focuses on addressing the issue of environmental destruction and lack of human motivation to counteract it. The project comprises a mobile application to tag, monitor, run, and evaluate a given pollution point through crowd sourcing, information sharing, and transmitting the validated data to authorities of environmental protection. It also incorporates a gaming element to gather and retain the interest of social media users through Facebook to keep them alert and interested in contributing to a social cause. In brief, the project is an all in one solution that combines education with entertainment to commit to a global cause. This concept is in line with the 7 th Millennium Development Goal as proposed by the United Nations.

Having walked away with the finalist Award after a tough competition the team V360 eagerly awaits the busy two months before heading to Sydney, Australia to participate in the International Imagine Cup 2012. The team looks forward to showcasing their talent on the international field and bringing the Imagine Cup to the motherland. We, at the Faculty of Information Technology wish the champions V360 and runners up Sharks all the best and support their endeavor to bring World Imagine Cup 2012 home.

The Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka

120/15, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka.
Tel: 2685490, 2698426, 2699210 Fax: 2699202 E.mail: ed@sltnet.lk / iesl@slt.lk Website: http://www.iesl.lk

In this Issue
Get To Know the IESL Provincial Chairmen ............. 3 Editorial................................. 4 Puzzle of the....................... 5 month

Sri Lanka Engineering News - May 2012

2 IESL NEWS

THE INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, SRI LANKA

Competition
on

FORTHCOMING ANNUAL EVENTS CALENDAR - 2012

Event Induction and Graduation Ceremony Dr. Ray Wijeyewardene Memorial Lecture E O E Pereira Memorial Lecture D J Wimalasurendra Memorial
Lecture Techno Exhibition Inauguration of the Annual Sessions

Dates
Saturday August 18, 2012 Monday - August 20, 2012 Thursday September 13, 2012 Monday September 17, 2012 FridaySunday October12-14, 2012 Friday October 19, 2012 Saturday October 20, 2012 Sunday October 21, 2012 Monday-Wednesday October 22, 23 & 24, 2012 Thursday - October 25, 2012 Thursday October 25, 2012 Saturday October 27, 2012 Friday November 02, 2012

Water Resources Development and Future Challenges- Role of Engineering meeting Future Challenges of Water Resources Development in Sri Lanka Session 2011 / 2012
Sponsored by International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
We are pleased to announce that arrangements are being made for the forthcoming Competition on Water Resources Development sponsored by IWMI towards the Annual Sessions of IESL in October 2012. The prizes will be given for the two best Technical Papers under the above mentioned theme prepared for this competition by Associate Members & Corporate Members of IESL. Jointly authored papers will be accepted, provided at least one of the authors satisfies the above criteria. Papers must be original and demonstrate the authors knowledge and experience of the subject. The award winning articles will be published in the journal, Engineer of the IESL. Water is a vital input in industrial, energy, tourism, recreational, navigation, agriculture, forestry, livestock and fishery sectors. As water scarcity grows, competition among sectors and users, and between the human needs and the environment intensifies. Effective and efficient water management is therefore a prerequisite for sustainable socioeconomic development. The paper can address extraction, storage, distribution, use and disposal issues in any economic sector. It should illustrate how engineering and technology is applied in increasing productivity, in balancing supply and demand of water and/or in reducing water pollution and protecting freshwater ecosystems. Preference will be given to papers of an empirical and analytical nature based on primary and/or secondary data although papers addressing topical issues through conceptual development may also be forwarded.

Annual Sessions Seminar Annual Field Visit Presentation of Technical papers Presentation of Technical Papers
by Young Members

Dr. A N S Kulasinghe

Memorial Lecture Annual General Meeting Techno Awards Ceremony Note:

Associate Members who wish to apply for the Professional Review, are strongly advised to attend all Memorial Lectures and keep a record of the attendance for any future reference.

INDUCTION AND GRADUATION CEREMONY 2012

Will be held on August 18, 2012 (Saturday) at 5.00 p.m. At the Waters Edge, Battaramulla.

The Chamber of Construction Industry, Sri Lanka

V ACANCY
General Manager
The Chamber of Construction Industry, Sri Lanka is the Apex body of the Construction Industry. We are calling for applications for the post of General Manager from dynamic and challenge oriented persons. The ideal candidate will need to be around 50 years, qualified with minimum 10 years experience in the field of Administration / Marketing / Management or Finance. An Engineering background would be preferred. The selected candidate should possess strong and effective communication skills with ability to interact with Member Associations, donor / international agencies, public / private sector organizations, promotion of trade fairs, revenue generation activities, bulletins etc. In addition, providing financial and Construction related data, professional development programs, seminars and workshops on subjects of national and Construction Industry importance. Salary and other benefits to be negotiated. Interested applicants should forward their detailed CV by e-mail, with Contact details of two non related referees within 14 days of this advertisement, to the under mentioned. Eng D D Wijemanne, Vice President, Chamber of Construction Industry, Email: wijemanne@mtdwalkers.com

AWARDS & PRIZES

(A) (B) Rs. 45,000.00 - For members of IESL over 35 years of age on 01 October 2012 Rs. 30,000.00 - For engineering graduates holding membership of IESL and 35 years of age and below on 01 October 20120

Intention to participate in this competition should be intimated to us along with your bio-data & the full Technical Papers on or before 30th June 2012. IESL form IWMI/1 should be used for this purpose. Further information could be obtained from the Chairman, Steering Committee on Water Resources Development of The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, on Tel: 072- 3421493 or Publicity Officer-IESL The deadline is 011-2685490, 011-2698426 or extended upto 011-2699210, ext-232, 207, June 30, 2012. E-mail: dir.pub@iesl.lk, ieslpub@gmail.com, Fax : 011-2699202

Sri Lanka Engineering News - May 2012

IESL NEWS 3

Get To Know the IESL Provincial Chairmen

he IESL has a membership exceeding 15,000 dispersed all over the island. The IESL Provincial Centres which carry out many member services in the provinces provide the much needed connectivity to its members in the provinces by organizing courses, seminars, workshops, field visits etc. for the continues professional development of its members. They also organize community programmes such as infrastructure improvements to least developed schools in the provinces, relief work in case of disasters etc. for interaction of its members with the public. These programmes are initiatives of the Executive Committees headed by Chairmen of each Provincial Centre. This issue of your newsletter introduces the Chairmen, IESL Provincial Centres who are at the helm of three of the centres in Central, Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Eng. B.M. Upul Senarathna Bandara Chairman, IESL, Central Province

Eng. S.Mohanaraja Chairman, IESL, Eastern Province

hartered Electrical Engineer by profession, E n g . B . M . U p u l Senarathna Bandara graduated in 1992 from Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya. He obtained his membership in the IESL in 1998. He joined the CEB in 1994 and had worked in several departments there while currently serving as the Chief Engineer in Kundasale area. He held the post of Secretary of IESL, Central Province for 2 years in 2008 and 2009 before becoming its Chairman. Under his chairmanship the IESL, Central Province has organized and successfully completed several member service activities including the Career Guidance

Workshop for final year undergraduates of the University of Peradeniya, CPD Courses on Construction Management, Building Services, Geotechnical Engineering, Electrical Installation and Protection, etc. The Centre also engaged in social activities like Get-Togethers and outings for its members.

hartered Engineer by profession, Eng. S.Mohanaraja graduated in 1982 from the University of Peradeniya and obtained his MSc in Hydraulics from IHE Delft Netherlands in 1999. He obtained his IESL membership in 1989. He joined the Irrigation Department in 1983. He is currently working as the Regional Director of Irrigation, Batticaloa. Under his chairmanship the IESL, Eastern Province has organized and successfully completed several member service activities to date including Technical Session on FIDIC General Conditions of Contracts by Eng. Michel Valbuena - Team Leader, AFD, France, sponsored byBluescope Lysaght,

Technical Session on Flood Mitigation and Water Resources Development in Trincomalee. By Eng. K.Subramaniam Chief Irrigation Engineer, sponsored by Ms Asian Paints, Technical Session on Code of Ethics and Role of an Engineer in Society by Eng. Justin Rajendram, Provincial Director, RDA, CPD Course on Irrigation Design by Eng.S.Mohanaraja RDI, Batticaloa Range, etc. Site visits were also done to the Unnichai Water Tank, Vavunatheevu Water Treatment Plant and the Batticaloa Hospital Waste Water Treatment Plant. The Centre also engaged in

community activities by the provision of books and stationeries for the five most backward schools in the area. Other activities planned for the future including Technical Session on Structural Design of a Typical Building by Eng.K.Chandramohan, sponsored by Ms Solico Waterproofing, Technical Session on Global Warming Effects, CPD Course on Re-inforced Concrete Design, Workshop on Computer Design P a c k a g e s SAP2000.PROKON, ETABS are in the pipeline.

Eng. S.Suntharakumar Chairman, IESL, Northern Province

Jaffna District. Under his chairmanship the IESL, Northern Province has organized and successfully completed several member service activities including Presentation / discussion on Ideas to Improve Education in Northern Province, 'Urban Planning Development and Infrastructure Priorities', Eng. S. Arumugam Memorial Lecture on River for Jaffna by Eng. Thiru Arumugam, Book launching on 'Post Conflict Development Strategies' by Dr. (Eng.) S. S. Sivakumar, Workshop on Practice of Structural Design and Software Programs, and 'Sharing Experiences on Engineering Practices for Ongoing Development Project', Site visit to Construction Site of Cargills Complex with Basement in Jaffna.

hartered Civil Engineer by professaion, Eng. S.Suntharakumar graduated in 1984 from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya. He obtained his membership in IESL in 2001. He joined the Buildings Department, Northern Province in 1989 and has served in various positions. He is currently working as the Deputy Director, Northern Province in

Sri Lanka Engineering News - May 2012

4 IESL NEWS

Sri Lanka Engineering News

Letters to the Editor

Driverless Cars

Power-transformers and dissolved gas analysis

by Dr. G. Kulatunga (Mechanical Engineer) he article that appeared in the March issue of SLEN, under the above title, deals with key-gases that evolve during transformer operation. The liquid insulating material in the form of mineral oils is described, by the writer, as meeting insulating and cooling purposes in oil-filled transformers. But, the main function is dependent on the dielectric properties of the oil. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are widely used for this purpose. Although the term insulator implies low electrical conduction, dielectric is typically used to describe materials with a high polarizability (see note below). PCBs were widely used as dielectric and coolant fluids, for example in transformers, capacitors, and electric motors. Due to PCBs toxicity and classification as a persistent organic pollutant, PCB production was banned by the United States Congress in 1979 and by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in 2001. Concerns about the toxicity of PCBs are largely based on compounds within this group that share a structural similarity and toxic mode of action with dioxin. Toxic effects such as endocrine disruption and neurotoxicity are also associated with other compounds within the group. Therefore, the current maximum containment levels as stated by the EPA for PCBs in drinking water systems is 0.5 ppb. CEB, LECO and Lanka Transformers Limited still use PCBs in their transformers and the disposal of it needs careful consideration. Burning the oil produces Dioxins and Furans which are extremely harmful. Spills of stored oils can cause contamination of ground and surface waters, soil and air. One of the ways of the contamination of the environment with PCBs is through recycles, scarping, and repair yards. The recycles use a considerable quantity of used transformer oil in their daily operations. They use saw-dust to absorb any oil that is spilled during draining of transformers, and saw-dust soaked with transformer oil is handed over to the relevant local authority for disposal or disposed in open dumps. Therefore, there is a possibility of dumping and burning of saw-dust used for cleaning spilled oil, which might contain PCBs. The Ministry of Environment Sri Lanka, in its Preliminary Inventory of PCBs, states that old storage yards indicate some of the transformers are contaminated with PCBs. Furthermore, these transformers were not stored in a proper manner, leading to leakage of transformer oil to the ground. In view of this, the disposal of transformer oil is a much of a serious nature than key-gases that emanate during operation. It would be of interest to know of CEBs plans for proper disposal of transformer oil and replacement of PCBs with more acceptable additives such as Pyranol-151 and Pyralen-E which have been used at Samanala Wewa Power Station and at New Laxapana Power Station.

he latest addition to the long list of operator-less modes of travel is the humble motor car. Google recently got a driving license (or to be exact a driverless license) to a modified Toyota Prius in Nevada USA, that drives by itself. The car uses video cameras mounted on its roof, radar sensors and a laser range finder, to see other traffic. Google engineers have earlier tested a prototype of the car on the California roads with a driver at the wheel who was there only to take over in an emergency.The entire test driving, including the crossing of the San Franciscos landmark Golden Gate Bridge, was by a Computer. Google claims that their prototype operated for 140,000 miles, driverless, with no accident reported. This may sound like fantasy. However, a computer theoretically can drive a car equally well or even better than a human driver. We drive cars using signals we receive from our sensors, mainly visual and aural. Electronic sensors with appropriately written software can perform the task even better with their ability to cover a longer and a wider range of distance with a lower time of reaction. However, the only function that a computer may not be able to perform in relation to the humans is the sensing of reactions of other fellow motorists, an attribute as vital as ones driving aptitude when it comes to driving along our Asian roads. It is encouraging to note however that we too would soon be travelling in driverless cars. The world at large has already witnessed unmanned space crafts, pilotless shuttle trains at airports, unmanned deep diving submersibles, remotely operated military drones and auto pilot operated jet airplanes. It is for the first time that the technology has arrived on the roads. Nevertheless, the real challenge for the Sri Lankan Engineers at this time would be to adopt the driverless technology to our roads, notoriously congested with not only heartless but also with brainless drivers!

Note (for Non-Electrical engineers):

A dielectric is an electrical insulator that can be polarized by an applied electric field. When a dielectric is placed in an electric field, electric charges do not flow through the material as they do in a conductor, but only slightly shift from their average equilibrium positions causing dielectric polarization. Because of dielectric polarization, positive charges are displaced toward the field and negative charges shift in the opposite direction. This creates an internal electric field which reduces the overall field within the dielectric itself. If a dielectric is composed of weakly bonded molecules, those molecules not only become polarized, but also reorient so that their symmetry axis aligns to the field.

Professional Review August/September 2012 for IESL Corporate Membership (Charter)

Completed Applications are accepted from 10th May to 15th June 2012
1. The eligibility requirement of one year completion after the Associate membership has been removed only for Aug / Sep 2012 PR.

Calling Applications:

Lakshitha Weerasinghe, Editor lakshitha@ieee.org

2. IESL application form E for election/transfer as a Member can be downloaded from the membership area of the website www.iesl.lk 3. Fees applicable for Professional Review by that time (10th May 2012 onwards) will be charged. 4. In your Training & Experience Report, Signature + Seal of the certifying Engineers are necessary. 5. The Log Book and the record of CPD must be submitted together with the Application and Training and Experience Report before 15th June 2012. 6. Design or Project Report (as required) has to be submitted before 15th July 2012. 7. A power point presentation of 20 minutes by the candidate on his/her training and experience and Design/Project is required at the Interview time. (Details will be given later) 8 Please read the Revised Professional review Rules in the website for further details.

Correction
In my article entitled 'New Skills for Engineers' in the April 2012 issue of SLEN, the reference given should be corrected as Pan'na Sutta in Anguttara Nikaya and not Majjima Nikaya as was given. I apologize for this mistake and thank Dr. Gamini Kulatunga for pointing this out. Eng Sarath Chandrasiri

Membership Division - IESL

Sri Lanka Engineering News - May 2012

IESL NEWS 5

Puzzle - 50 Pressure Measurement Device and A Special Prize of Rs. 5,000

Solution for Puzzle No. 46

Only one solution was received for this puzzle. It was from Menaka Devaraja (AM-8583). 46 (A): The first laugh: Naturally the fool does not want others to know what an idiot he is. So, when others laugh, he joins in to hide his stupidity. I would have done the same. But it is not genuine. The second laugh: By and by, the real meaning of the joke dawns on him and that makes him laugh, this time genuinely. The third laugh: By and by, it dawns upon him what an idiot he has been not to understand the joke with the others. This time he laughs at himself.

half century of puzzles have gone by. To commemorate this special occasion, a special prize of Rs 5,000 is offered for the correct solution. The youngest member rule will not apply here. If there is more than one correct solution, the reward will be divided equally amongst the winners, irrespective of age. So let it be written and so let it be done! The second puzzle, which appears at the end, is a cipher text puzzle. Listen carefully. I will say this only once. I am not offering any monetary reward for that. But the pleasure of solving that puzzle would exceed Rs 5,000 in value at least for some, if not for all. So have a go at it too. Puzzle 50-A: This time I am presenting an easy and interesting puzzle that I made up, that any one with a basic knowledge of physics would be able to solve. I have a gas pipe where the pressure could normally vary between 0 and 3 bar, with an absolute maximum of 4 bar. I want to monitor this pressure over 24 hours at 30 minute intervals. I do not have the budget for buying a pressure gauge and was thinking of a U-tube manometer to measure the pressure. But as the pressure could reach 4 bar, the height of the leg has to be around 40 m, which made it highly impractical. Finally, I came across an interesting device, used by a neighbor, which was ideal for my purposes. A sketch of the arrangement is shown below:

46B: Time constraint C

G/day/day
*

Note: - Capacity is the rate at which something can be produced, and demand is the rate at which it is wanted. C is the current capacity

time
If the capacity is reduced to C* (through immediate firing of staff), the time during which the demand catches up with C* should be adequate to train new staff. Therefore, y should not be less than T (training time),else there wont be enough time to train people.

C* D + TG where G is the growth rate (rate of increase of demand). Cost minimization C C* D x time
If, after immediately reducing capacity to C , it takes x days for the demand to catch up with C*, and if the number of workers fired is n, the wage saving is nxW (W being the wage/day). If this is greater than the hiring and training cost nA, (that is if x>A/W) it is worth the while firing staff as the wage saving xW exceeds A. If, however, x<A/W, the wage saving would be <A. Therefore, the limit to which capacity should be reduced is D+ (A/W) G. Thus the optimum level to which capacity should be reduced should be the higher of (D + TG) and (D + AG/W) provided this is less than C. Therefore, the reduce capacity level = Min [C, Max ((D + TG), (D + AG / W))]. This is the capacity which minimizes cost whilst ensuring enough time for training. (The solution assumes that anyone hired even an exemployee - has to undergo training,the latter costing A per employee). Contributed by Eng Ranil Senaratne
*

G/day/day

The tubes were made of a flexible transparent plastic material. I was told that no liquid other than water is used in the system. The resolution of 10 cm/bar in the outer tube was good enough for my purposes. Additionally, the measuring range of the tube was close enough to ground level for convenient measurement. The problem was that the owner did not want to reveal what is inside the locked box. What could be the simplest device/arrangement inside the box? Puzzle 50-B: Here is the message in Cypher Text. Isde ise eede astle uzzlepe atde ede uruge ise oinge ote ublishpe. Ayhe avehe adhe enhe oufhe ofhe isde. Alfhe a enturyse ishe orme ande enhe oufhe. The encryption algorithm used in this case is a very old and simple one. So it should not be difficult for wise guys like you to decrypt the meassage. As I said the feeling is going to be exhilarating. Announcement: I have launched my own web site www.puzzlegurulanka.com. Please visit it for some interesting technical presentations. Happy Puzzling to All!

Puzzle Guru Sarath Chandrasiri

Correct answer must be sent by email to cebos@ceb.lk with copies to puzzleguru.lk@gmail.com. Please indicate your name, membership number and date of birth along with the answer. Also indicate the puzzle number in the subject line of the email. A list of readers who gave the correct answer along with the solution will be published in the June 2012 issue of the SLEN

Postscript to P-46
This puzzle has been culled from a Harvard University postgraduate case study wherein it is not possible to proceed with the analysis of the case without first solving thepuzzle. I understand that many Harvard students have been able to solve the puzzle which has two noteworthy features: 1) It does not require a knowledge of specific concepts or theories of any discipline except elementary algebra and may be a bit of geometry Contd. on page 11....

Sri Lanka Engineering News - May 2012

6 IESL NEWS

Contd. from page 1....

UTE partners with the IESL to launch the Electrical Engineers Forum 2012
Engineer, Eng. Damitha Kumarasinghe Director General PUCSL and Eng. Bandula Thilakasena Additional General Manager CEB, with Prof. K. K. Y. W. Perera Advisor to the Ministry of Power and Energy moderating. Commenting on the sponsorship UTE CEO, Mr. Riyad Ismail , said understanding the new regulatory framework and economic dynamics are vital for all those stakeholders in the engineering sector when deciding on the best affordable sources of energy, be it short

Eng. (Dr.) Tilak Siyambalapitiya doing his presentation

framework for the functional unbundling and regulation of the electricity supply industry. Our ultimate goal is economic efficiency of the sector, and the provision of reliable, adequate and cost-effective service to customers. January 2011 was seen as a new beginning in the sector but this needs to be fully understood by all the stakeholders if we are going to able to implement effectual change.
Dr. Siyambalapitiya added that, shedding stagnant traditional ideas in the face of the new regulatory environment is a difficult task and there are problems and misunderstandings among almost all the stakeholders on how this system works, and how customers and the society at large would benefit from it.

Eng. (Prof.) K K Y W Perera being presented with a memento by UTE CEO Mr. Riyad Ismail

JIY Awareness Program held on April 20, and May 02nd 2012 by Wayamba Provincial Centre

Panelist Eng. Damitha Kumarasinghe, Director General, PUCSL being presented a memento by President, IESL
The presentation focused on what has to be done by each key stakeholder to rescue the ailing electricity industry. The presentation set the tone for the subsequent panel discussion; the panelists were Eng. Jayasiri Karunanayaka Senior Consultant

But we need to give economic regulation a chance to prove itself .

term cost savings or to achieve a competitive advantage in the long run. That is why we are proud to have supported IESLs Electrical Engineering Forum 2012; and we would also like to commend them for the initiative they are showing to spark discourse.

Seminar on 'Hybrid Vehicles' held on 12 May, 2012 by Wayamba Provincial Centre

The seminar was conducted on 12 th May 2012 at the Hotel Blue Sky, Negombo Road, Kurunegala. The programme was open to the general public and Eng. Deeptha Appuhamy explained the high tech involved with hybrid vehicles. Time was allocated for participants to raise questions with regard to hybrid vehicles; it was a very successful event and participants put forward many questions related to vehicle maintenance and other important aspects of the hybrid vehicles. R.A.H. Rajamanthri, Chairman IESL Wayamba Centre, Kurunegala, 15.05.2012

Mr. M Vithanage, Manager - Power Systems doing a presentation on the range of products and services of the UTE.

Section of the audience

Sri Lanka Engineering News - May 2012

IESL NEWS 7

Sri Lanka Engineering News - May 2012

8 IESL NEWS

Engineering Education in Sri Lanka

by K. D. DUMINDUSENA

CORRECTION
The SLEN April 2012 issue carried an article titled Mechanical Engineering Sectional Committee Field Visit to Yugadanavi Power Plant 300MW CCPP at Kerawalapitiya on page 9. Please note that the article was authored by Eng. Janitha Ekanayake and not Eng. Janaka Rathnakumara as inadvertantly published. We apologise for the mistake.

ngineering is considered as the practical application of scientific principles directing the great sources of power in nature for the use and convenience of man. It is recorded that engineering education in the country started after the independence granted by the British Colonial administration. The purpose of this article is to examine the expansion of engineering education in Sri Lanka and its contribution to the postindependence economic development of the country. History Historical monuments, like Dagabos, Tanks, irrigation canals and stone sculptures situated in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kandy and Ruhuna areas, reveal that a developed engineering system of some form existed in ancient Sri Lanka. Modern day engineers have often wondered about the technology used in ancient irrigation systems; the Bissokotuwa and slopes of irrigation canals being examples of engineering marvels constructed by the people in ancient Sri Lanka. That there was developed technology in ancient Sri Lanka therefore leads us to conclude that there was engineering education of some form under the indigenous education system of the country Technical education Western type education system had commenced with the arrival of Europeans in the country in 16th and 17th centuries.With the development of the plantation sector in the British Colonial period the British rulers started cultivating coffee and tea in the upcountry lands, the need arose for railway and road network infrastructure facilities to cater to the transport needs of their surging export trade. The British rulers had to bring engineers and technicians from England for constructing them. In addition English engineers and technicians served in the construction work of the Colombo harbour,

Government factory and other engineering works in the country. The Ceylon University College was founded in 1921 to prepare students for the University of Londons external degree examinations in Arts and Science.The College awarded 30 scholarships to follow external degree in the University of London and reserved two scholarships for science students to follow engineering degree courses. The main activity of the Ceylon Technical College was the preparation of students for the Associate Membership Examinations of the three major professional institutions in Britain at that time. During the period 1942 - 1950, there were 210 professional engineers in the country Out of them, 104 had graduated from the University of London. University education The University of Ceylon was established in 1942 with the amalgamation of Ceylon Medical College and Ceylon University College on July 1, 1942. Later on, the policy to establish a Faculty of Engineering in the University of Ceylon was agreed upon.. Accordingly the University of Ceylon set up the first Faculty of Engineering on July 1, 1950 and it was temporarily located in Colombo. At the beginning, the faculty started with the three departments; civil, electrical and mechanical engineering and admitted 25 students for the engineering courses for the first time. The Engineering Faculty was housed in the premises of the university at Reid Avenue, Colombo and practical classes were held at the Technical College, Maradana from 1950 1964. After completion of the buildings at Peradeniya, the Faculty of Engineering was moved to Peradeniya University grounds. Professor E.O.E.Pereira was the first Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. The intake for the university admission were increased from 25 in 1950, to 150 in 1964 and 250 in1979. More than10,000 graduates had passed out from the Faculty of Engineering in the University of

Peradeniya during the period of 1950 to 2010. Expansion of Engineering Education In 1972, under the provision of University Act No 1 of 1972, the Ceylon College of Technology, at Katubedda was promoted to university status and it was founded as Katubedda Campus under the single University of Sri Lanka. It became the University of Moratuwa with effect from 01.01.1979 under the provisions of the Universities Act No 17 of 1978. At the beginning there were two Faculties for Engineering and Architecture. Before obtaining the university status, Ceylon College of Technology had conducted courses for National Diploma Technology in Civil, Electrical and Mechanical streams and it was continued under the University of Moratuwa too. Now it has three faculties viz; Faculties of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology with a total student population of about 4,000. The Faculty of Engineering, attached to the University of Ruhuna was founded in 1999 at Hapugala, Galle. At the beginning about 100 students were admitted for its engineering courses. There are four departments and about 500 students are studying at present. Students for the university engineering degree courses are selected on the results of G.C.E.(A/L) examinations in the physical science stream by the University Grants Commission annually. The University Grants Commission admits about 1,300 students to the engineering faculties of universities of Peradeniya, Moratuwa and Ruhuna. The universities provide education to students in basic disciplines of Civil, Electrical and Electronics, Mechanical, Production, Chemical and Information Technology. In addition, Sri Lankan universities offer Contd. on page 11...

Certificate Course
on

Safety & Health Management

conducted by

THE INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, SRI LANKA

For whom? Engineers & Managers
Course Modules: Loss Prevention Concepts & Recognition of Hazards Specific Safety Management Systems1 Specific Safety Management Systems 2 Risk Management Accident Investigation and Analysis Resource Person:

Eng Dhammika Welhenge

Venue:

Seminar Room, The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka 120/15, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7.

Duration & Time: From 0900 1600 hrs (five consecutive Saturdays) Commencing on

16 June 2012
Course Fee: SLR 25,000/- for IESL members and SLR 27,000/- for non-members (Inclusive of course materials, lunch and refreshments)

Application forms could be obtained from the EE&T Division or IESL website and the duly filled Application form to be sent to education & training division before 14 June, 2012, Registration can be done through Online.

DIRECTOR (EE&T) Tel. 0112 698426 Ext. 209/210/211 E-Mail. deetiesl@sltnet.lk; Fax: 0112 699202

Sri Lanka Engineering News - May 2012

IESL NEWS 9

Engineering For Industry - Efi 2012

Reported by Eng. (Prof.) Ranjith Dissanayaka Chairman - EFI Committee-University of Peradeniya

he Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya with its long-standing reputation for excellence in engineering education is glad to announce that, the annual Industry Day Efi2012 was successfully held at the faculty premises on 27th April 2012. Display of research findings and services available for the industry were the highlights of this years industry day. Many public and private sector engineering organizations also made presentations and participated in the job fair organized in parallel to recruit matching young engineering talents that they strive to look for.

Award Winners

The winners of the competitions organized by the organizations outside the university system as well as representatives of the country at international competitions were appraised at Efi 2012. The list of award winners are given below. There were also a large no of undergraduates who have won various inter-university competitions and full colours in sports. 6. Winner of Undergraduate Inventor of the Year (UIY) Competition for the year 2011, organized by IESL H S Jayakody, P S N Perera, R R de Silva Bulathge, S M K B Samarakoon 7. Winners of the best Undergraduates Project in Electrical Engineering, organized by IESL and the winners of the Late Mrs. E W Karunarathna Memorial Award for 2011 1st place - D B W Abeywardana, K E Wijethilake, S E

IESL President Eng. (Dr.) Ananda Ranasinghe addressing the gathering as the chief guest. 1. Champions of Imagine Cup Sri Lanka 2011, Organized by Microsoft Cooperation, and represented the country at the international competition held in New York, USA. Lahiru D. Senadheera, Lakshitha Herath, Dinushan M. Samarakoon, Madusanka Upendra Dassanayake 2. Champions of Robocon 2011 in Sri Lanka and represented the country at the world competition held in Thailand (G.I.R.K. Galgamuwa, L.K.G. Liyanage , K.V.C. Niranjan) 3. Winners of Inter-University Enterprise Mobility Competition organized by Motorola Thilina Sampath Herath , Prebuddha Sri Rahal, Rukshan Rajapakshe, Upul Chathuranga Senanayake 4. Winner of AppZone software competition organized by Etisalat D.H Tharindu Dassanayake He is also the winner of software competition mBillionth organized by

The Vice Chancellor awarding a prize 9. Winners of the best paper award, Annual Technical Conference, organized by Institution of Engineering and Technology D.B.W. Abeywardana, K. E. Wijethilaka, S. E. Wijethilaka, M.G.C.P. Mediwaththe 10. Best speaker of the Speak Out for Engineers (SOFE) contest 2011 conducted by Institution of Mechanical Engineers London D.M.A.R. Uyanwatte 11. Selected for the final round of International GoSC (Google Summer Code), organized by Google Incorporation. Thilina Abeyrathne, Chanaka Dharmarathne, Lali Devamanthri, Gayan Sukumal Viharagoda 12. Champion and the best unrated player of the 3 Mora kings International Rating chess championship 2010. S. M. P. S. Samaraweera 13. Represented the country at the world University Games, China 2011 H. Y.Weerathunga, She is also a member of the National swimming team, Sri Lanka. 14. Represented the country at the World University Games 2011 held in China and Winner of the Inter University games, 2011. K.M.H.K. Konara

Vodafone and became one of the finalists at the competition held in India Further, he won ESwabhimani award for countrys best e-commerce software application organized by Information and Technology Agency, Sri Lanka 5. Winners of ESwabhimani organized by Information and Technology Agency, Sri Lanka D.M.A.K Dissanayake, W.M.D.R. Gunathilake

Undergraduates attending the job fair. Nearly 50 companies seeking young engineers participated in the job fair. Wijethilake, M G C P Mediwaththa 2 nd place:H P A P Jayawardana, H W K M Amarasekara, P T S Peelikumbura, W A K C Jayathilaka 8. Recipients of Migara Ratnatunga Trust Awards for the Best Undergraduates Projects in Industrial Training for the year 2011, organized by IESL H W K M Amarasekara, T M S C Jayasinghe, H S Jayakody, B M M P Balasuriya, C T J Fernando

Contd. on page 11....

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Annual General Meeting - IESL Southern Centre

NOTICE
UPDATING DIRECTORIES OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS AND ARBITRATORS ADJUDICATORS

Eng. Tilak de Silva, Chief Guest being welcomed by Eng. C Weerasekera, the Chairman of IESL Southern Centre

Guest lecture on "Toll Expressway in Sri Lanka" being delivered by Eng. M B S Fernando, Team Leader of Southern Transport Development Project, Galle-Matara section of highway

Copies of the directories of Structural Engineers and Arbitrators Adjudicators are available with the IESL receptionist. Action is being taken by the IESL to publish new directories. Hence kindly make changes, if any to the information given by you to publish those directories enabling us to include them in the new directories.

The chief guest being ceremonially conducted to the Ballroom

New office bearers for the next session

THE INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, SRI LANKA Competition on

Eco Efficient Water Infrastructure for Sustainable Development Experiences gained from Integrated Water Resources Infrastructure Development in Sri Lanka

Session 2011/2012
Eng. L C Pushpa Kumara tabling the minutes of the previous session on behalf of the Secretary

Sponsored by St. Anthonys Industries Group (Private) Ltd.

(MANUFACTURERS OF ANTON PVC PIPES AND FITTINGS)
Two competitions will be held this year for the award of certificates and cash prizes. The competition soliciting original Technical Papers on research and case studies are accepted from members of IESL who are above 35 years. There will also be another competition for members who are 35 years and below on 01 October 2012. This competition is open to members of IESL and final year students of Faculties of Engineering of Universities in Sri Lanka who are student members of IESL or who obtain such membership before submitting their technical papers.

AWARDS & PRIZES

Vice Chairman Eng. J Sellahennadi presenting the financial report for the last session on behalf of the Treasurer

ABOVE 35 YEARS ON BELOW ON 2012.10.01 First Prize - Rs. 50,000/= Second Prize - Rs. 25,000/= Third Prize - Rs. 10,000/=

35 YEARS AND 2012.10.01 First Prize - Rs. 25,000/= Second Prize - Rs.15,000/= Third Prize - Rs. 5,000/=

The members (Fellows, Members, Associate Members, Associates, Companions and Students) who wish to participate must obtain the application forms from IESL and submit bio data & full Technical Papers to reach the Executive Secretary, Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka, No. 120/15, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 07 on or before 30th June 2012. Further information could be obtained from the Chairman, Steering Committee on Water Resources Development of The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, on Tel: 072- 3421493 or Publicity OfficerIESL 011-2685490, 011-2698426 or 011-2699210, ext232, 207, E-mail: dir.pub@iesl.lk, ieslpub@gmail.com, Fax : 011-2699202

The deadline is extended upto June 30, 2012.

Outgoing Chairman, Eng. C Weerasekera addressing the gathering. However Eng. C Weerasekera was reappointed as Chairman for the new session by a unanimous decision.

Sri Lanka Engineering News - May 2012

IESL NEWS 11

IESL BENEVOLENT FUND

The IESL Benevolent Fund provides much needed relief to members and their families rendered distraught by unfortunate events. The fund, at present, offers financial assistance up to Rs 60,000/= in the event of sudden death / sickness of a member, unexpected and serious loss of income to a member or any other cause which the Board of Management of the Benevolent Fund considers as deserving such assistance. All members, irrespective of class of their membership and regardless of their contributions are eligible to be beneficiaries of the fund. Appeals for financial assistance from the IESL Benevolent Fund should be channeled through the Executive Secretary by filling out a form specified for the purpose which is available on request.
Contd. from page 9...

Calling for Applications to Serve on Professional Review (PR) Panels

Applications are invited from Corporate Members who are either Fellows, or Members (with more than 10 years post charter experience) in the relevant field of engineering, to serve on the PR panels. Please send in your CV including a career report with a covering letter addressed to the Director (Membership), IESL to be received on or before 30th June 2012. You may either email to des.mem@iesl.lk or send by post or hand over to the Membership Division of the IESL. Those who are already on the panels and those who have already sent in applications during this year for consideration, need not apply again. There will be a training session and assessment for the eligible members. The successful Fellows / Members will be assigned to relevant panels.
Contd. from page 5....

Engineering For Industry..... Solution for Puzzle....

2) It requires considerable ingenuity Though the problem may not look like a typical puzzle, it hints at the fact that there could be many problems in day-to-day life,though not amenable to sophisticated methods, could yield to a mix of creativity, logicand basic numeracy. When a problem appears intractable to advanced (or elementary) concepts and theories,we have a tendency to abandon it. That probably is what happened with readers response to this problem; little realizing that many problematic situations are amenable to ingenuity. On a more disquieting note,it might be asked why no one from a large group of Sri Lankan engineers(who presumably got very good marks at A Levels followed by good classes in their engineering degrees)could solve a problem that many Harvard postgraduate students have been able to. Contd. from page 8....

Engineering Education....
postgraduate courses for the MSc, MPhill, MBA and PhD. Institutional engineering education In addition to universities, some institutions too provide education for students in engineering disciplines to award degrees, diplomas and certificates together with training. The Open University of Sri Lanka had started engineering and technology courses to provide education under distance education schemes for the award of degree, diploma and certificate level qualifications.. Technical Colleges, Hardy Technical Institute, Katunayake Technical institute, Advanced Technical Institute, Katubedda Higher Technical Institute, German Technical College are the institutions that provide education and training related to engineering disciplines to train technicians, mechanists and other skilled professionals. Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka In 1906, the engineers who have been working in the country had established a new association named Association of Engineers. It was the oldest premier body representing the engineering profession in Sri Lanka. This apex body was incorporated by an Act of Parliament in 1968 under the Provisions of Act No 17 of 1968 and amended Act No 3 of 1996 as Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL). This institution conducts a degree engineering course and continuing professional development courses to promote the career progress of the profession. IESL offers individual and corporate memberships. There are five categories of memberships. The types of membership of IESL are Fellow, Honorary Fellow, Member, Associate Member and Students Member. The membership provides access to a network of knowledge and opportunity to develop ones expertise in the profession. Engineers who obtained engineering education from Sri Lankan universities and other higher educational institutes, made significant contributions in the construction of roads, bridges, irrigation canals and tanks, hydro power systems, buildings and other major development programs after independence. Modern development of the country is a result of contributions of engineers who had obtained engineering education in Sri Lanka. Engineering education has been expanded during the post independence period with the development of secondary and higher education in Sri Lanka. (The writer is Director/Education, Examination & Training, Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka)

Nearly 3000 school students visited the faculty

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12 IESL NEWS

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