Having walked away with the‘finalist’ Award after a toughcompetition the team V360eagerly awaits the busy twomonths before heading toSydney, Australia toparticipate in the InternationalImagine Cup 2012. The teamlooks forward to showcasingtheir talent on theinternational field and bringingthe Imagine Cup to themotherland.

We, at the Faculty ofInformation Technology wishthe champions “V360” andrunners up “Sharks” all thebest and support theirendeavor to bring WorldImagine Cup 2012 home.

University of Moratuwa wins backthe Imagine Cup

by D K WithanageHead, Department of Information Technology

University of Moratuwa

The students of theUniversity of Moratuwamade their alma mater

proud again by winning themuch coveted Imagine CupSri Lanka – 2012 challengetrophy after four long years.The team “V360” from theFaculty of InformationTechnology, University ofMoratuwa emerged victoriousat the grand competition heldat Sri Lanka Institute ofInformation Technology,Malabe on 27th April 2012.The team CR Coderzs fromthe Informatics Institute ofTechnology won the firstrunner-up. The team“Sharks”, also from theFaculty of InformationTechnology, University ofMoratuwa won the secondrunners-up for their project “VLearn”.

Microsoft Imagine Cup is thepremier global studenttechnology competitionwhere student innovatorsaround the globe use theircreativity and the power oftechnology to build ground-breaking solutions thattransform the world we live.The theme of the competitionhas been “IMAGINE AWORLD WHERETECHNOLOGY HELPSSOLVE THE TOUGHESTPROBLEMS”; as declaredby the United Nations as the

millennium developmentgoal.

The victorious team lead byThurupathan Vijayakumarand much supported bymembers Malin De Silva andRukshan Lakshitha Dangalladisplayed exceptional effortand ingenuity throughout thegrand event. The winningproject ‘Back2Earth’ is asoftware solution thatfocuses on addressing theissue of environmentaldestruction and lack ofhuman motivation tocounteract it. The projectcomprises a mobileapplication to tag, monitor,run, and evaluate a givenpollution point through crowdsourcing, information sharing,and transmitting the validateddata to authorities ofenvironmental protection. Italso incorporates a gamingelement to gather and retainthe interest of social mediausers through Facebook tokeep them alert andinterested in contributing toa social cause. In brief, theproject is an all in onesolution that combineseducation with entertainmentto commit to a global cause.This concept is in line withthe 7th MillenniumDevelopment Goal asproposed by the UnitedNations.

UTE partners with theIESL to launch the

Electrical EngineersForum 2012

April 25th2012,Colombo: Theinaugral electrical

engineers forum of theInstitution of Engineers, SriLanka (IESL) organized byits Electrical andElectronic EngineeringSectional Committee washeld on 25th April 2012 andwas marked by a paneldiscussion to discussElectricity Pricing andEconomic Regulation. TheIESL, Sri Lanka’s premierprofessional engineeringbody, plans to make it anannual event with amission to uplift theEngineering fraternity ofthe country. The forumwas jointly organized withthe United Tractors &Equipment Pvt Ltd (UTE),the pioneer in diesel powergenerator industry in Srilanka.

Eng. (Dr) Ananda Ranasinghewelcoming the inviteespresent emphasized theimportance of the theme of thePanel Discussion ‘ElectricityPricing and EconomicRegulation’ in today’scontext. The Forumcommenced with apresentation byE n g . ( D r . ) T i l a kSiyambalapitiya followed bya panel discussion.

E n g . ( D r . ) T i l a kSiyambalapitiya, stressedthe relevance of this topic,especially in the light of recentelectricity price hikes.Addressing the distinguishedengineers, businessexecutives and journalists hestated, “The Electricity Act of2009 provides us the

Contd. on page 6...

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

The panelists at discussion

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

ENGINEERING NEWSSRI LANKA

Established 1906

In this Issue

The Institution of EngineersSri 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

Get To Know the IESL

Provincial Chairmen ............. 3

Editorial................................. 4

Puzzle of the....................... 5

month

Sri Lanka Engineering News - May 2012IESL NEWS2

Event Dates

♦♦♦♦♦Induction and Graduation Ceremony Saturday – August 18, 2012♦♦♦♦♦Dr. Ray Wijeyewardene Memorial Lecture Monday - August 20, 2012♦♦♦♦♦E O E Pereira Memorial Lecture Thursday – September 13, 2012

♦♦♦♦♦D J Wimalasurendra Memorial Monday – September 17, 2012 Lecture♦♦♦♦♦Techno Exhibition Friday–Sunday October12-14, 2012♦♦♦♦♦Inauguration of the Annual Sessions Friday – October 19, 2012

♦♦♦♦♦Annual Sessions Seminar Saturday – October 20, 2012

♦♦♦♦♦Annual Field Visit Sunday – October 21, 2012

♦♦♦♦♦Presentation of Technical papers Monday-WednesdayOctober 22, 23 & 24, 2012

♦♦♦♦♦Presentation of Technical Papers Thursday - October 25, 2012 by Young Members

♦♦♦♦♦Dr. A N S Kulasinghe Thursday – October 25, 2012 Memorial Lecture♦♦♦♦♦Annual General Meeting Saturday – October 27, 2012♦♦♦♦♦Techno Awards Ceremony Friday – November 02, 2012

Note:

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

FORTHCOMING ANNUAL EVENTSCALENDAR - 2012

THE INSTITUTION OFENGINEERS, SRI LANKA

Competitionon

“Water ResourcesDevelopment and Future

Challenges- Role ofEngineering meeting

Future Challenges of WaterResources Development in

Sri Lanka”Session 2011 / 2012

Sponsored byInternational Water Management

Institute (IWMI)We are pleased to announce that arrangements are beingmade for the forthcoming Competition on Water ResourcesDevelopment sponsored by IWMI towards the AnnualSessions of IESL in October 2012. The prizes will be givenfor the two best Technical Papers under the above mentionedtheme prepared for this competition by Associate Members& Corporate Members of IESL. Jointly authored papers willbe accepted, provided at least one of the authors satisfiesthe above criteria. Papers must be original and demonstratethe author’s knowledge and experience of the subject. Theaward 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 andfishery sectors. As water scarcity grows, competition amongsectors and users, and between the human needs and theenvironment intensifies. Effective and efficient watermanagement is therefore a prerequisite for sustainable socio-economic development.

The paper can address extraction, storage, distribution, useand disposal issues in any economic sector. It shouldillustrate how engineering and technology is applied inincreasing productivity, in balancing supply and demand ofwater and/or in reducing water pollution and protectingfreshwater ecosystems.

Preference will be given to papers of an empirical andanalytical nature based on primary and/or secondary dataalthough papers addressing topical issues throughconceptual development may also be forwarded.

AWARDS & PRIZES(A) Rs. 45,000.00 - For members of IESL

over 35 years of age on 01 October 2012(B) Rs. 30,000.00 - For engineering

graduates holding membership of IESLand 35 years of age and below on 01October 20120

Intention to participate in this competition should beintimated to us along with your bio-data & the fullTechnical Papers on or before 30th June 2012. IESLform IWMI/1 should be used for this purpose.

Further information could be obtained from theChairman, Steering Committee on Water ResourcesDevelopment of TheInstitution of Engineers, SriLanka, on Tel: 072- 3421493or Publicity Officer-IESL011-2685490, 011-2698426 or011-2699210, ext-232, 207,E-mail: dir.pub@iesl.lk,i e s l p u b @ g m a i l . c o m ,Fax : 011-2699202

INDUCTION AND GRADUATIONCEREMONY – 2012

Will be held on August 18, 2012 (Saturday)at 5.00 p.m.

At theWaters Edge, Battaramulla.

The Chamber of ConstructionIndustry, Sri Lanka

V A C A N C Y

General Manager

The Chamber of Construction Industry, Sri Lanka is the Apex body ofthe Construction Industry. We are calling for applications for thepost of General Manager from dynamic and challenge orientedpersons.

The ideal candidate will need to be around 50 years, qualified withminimum 10 years experience in the field of Administration /Marketing / Management or Finance. An Engineering backgroundwould be preferred.

The selected candidate should possess strong and effectivecommunication skills with ability to interact with MemberAssociations, donor / international agencies, public / private sectororganizations, promotion of trade fairs, revenue generation activities,bulletins etc. In addition, providing financial and Construction relateddata, professional development programs, seminars and workshopson 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 ofthis advertisement, to the under mentioned.

Eng D D Wijemanne,Vice President,Chamber of Construction Industry,Email: wijemanne@mtdwalkers.com

The deadline isextended uptoJune 30, 2012.

Sri Lanka Engineering News - May 2012IESL NEWS 3

Get To Know the IESL Provincial Chairmen

The IESL has a membership exceeding 15,000 dispersed all over the island. The IESL Provincial Centres which carry out manymember 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. forinteraction of its members with the public. These programmes are initiatives of the Executive Committees headed by Chairmen of eachProvincial Centre. This issue of your newsletter introduces the Chairmen, IESL Provincial Centres who are at the helm of three of thecentres in Central, Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Eng. B.M. Upul Senarathna Bandara

Chairman, IESL, Central Province

Chartered ElectricalEngineer byp r o f e s s i o n ,

E n g . B . M . U p u lSenarathna Bandaragraduated in 1992 fromFaculty of Engineering,University of Peradeniya. Heobtained his membership inthe IESL in 1998. He joinedthe CEB in 1994 and hadworked in severaldepartments there whilecurrently serving as the ChiefEngineer in Kundasale area.He held the post of Secretaryof IESL, Central Province for2 years in 2008 and 2009before becoming itsChairman. Under hischairmanship the IESL,Central Province hasorganized and successfullycompleted several memberservice activities includingthe Career Guidance

Workshop for final yearundergraduates of theUniversity of Peradeniya,CPD Courses on‘Construction Management’,‘Building Services’,‘Geotechnical Engineering’,‘Electrical Installation andProtection’, etc. The Centrealso engaged in socialactivities like Get-Togethersand outings for its members.

Eng. S.Suntharakumar

Chairman, IESL, Northern Province

Chartered Civil Engineerby professaion, Eng.S.Suntharakumar

graduated in 1984 from theFaculty of Engineering,University of Peradeniya. Heobtained his membership inIESL in 2001. He joined theBuildings Department,Northern Province in 1989 andhas served in variouspositions. He is currentlyworking as the DeputyDirector, Northern Province in

Eng. S.Mohanaraja

Chairman, IESL, Eastern Province

Chartered Engineer byprofession, Eng.S . M o h a n a r a j a

graduated in 1982 from theUniversity of Peradeniya andobtained his MSc inHydraulics from IHE DelftNetherlands in 1999. Heobtained his IESLmembership in 1989. Hejoined the IrrigationDepartment in 1983. He iscurrently working as theRegional Director ofIrrigation, Batticaloa. Underhis chairmanship the IESL,Eastern Province hasorganized and successfullycompleted several memberservice activities to dateincluding Technical Sessionon ‘FIDIC General Conditionsof Contracts’ by Eng. MichelValbuena - Team Leader,AFD, France, sponsoredbyBluescope Lysaght,

Technical Session on ‘FloodMitigation and WaterResources Development inTrincomalee.’ By Eng.K.Subramaniam – ChiefIrrigation Engineer, sponsoredby Ms Asian Paints,Technical Session on ‘Codeof Ethics and Role of anEngineer in Society’ by Eng.Justin Rajendram, ProvincialDirector, RDA, CPD Courseon Irrigation Design byEng.S.Mohanaraja – RDI,Batticaloa Range, etc. Sitevisits were also done to theUnnichai Water Tank,Vavunatheevu WaterTreatment Plant and theBatticaloa Hospital WasteWater Treatment Plant. TheCentre also engaged in

community activities by theprovision of books andstationeries for the five mostbackward schools in thearea. Other activitiesplanned for the futureincluding Technical Sessionon ‘Structural Design of aTypical Building’ byEng.K.Chandramohan,sponsored by Ms SolicoWaterproofing, TechnicalSession on ‘ GlobalWarming Effects’, CPDCourse on ‘ Re-inforcedConcrete Design’, Workshopon ‘Computer DesignP a c k a g e sS A P 2 0 0 0 . P R O K O N ,ETABS’ are in the pipeline.

Jaffna District. Under hischairmanship the IESL,Northern Province hasorganized and successfullycompleted several memberservice activities includingPresentation / discussion on‘Ideas to Improve Educationin Northern Province’, 'UrbanPlanning Development andInfrastructure Priorities',Eng. S. ArumugamMemorial Lecture on ‘ Riverfor Jaffna’ by Eng. ThiruArumugam, Book launchingon 'Post ConflictDevelopment Strategies' byDr. (Eng.) S. S. Sivakumar,Workshop on ‘Practice ofStructural Design andSoftware Programs’, and'Sharing Experiences onEngineering Practices forOngoing DevelopmentProject', Site visit toConstruction Site of CargillsComplex with Basement inJaffna.

Sri Lanka Engineering News - May 2012IESL NEWS4

Sri LankaEngineering News

Lakshitha Weerasinghe, Editorlakshitha@ieee.org

Letters to the Editor

Power-transformers and dissolvedgas analysis

by Dr. G. Kulatunga (Mechanical Engineer)

The article that appeared in the March issue of SLEN, under the above title, deals withkey-gases that evolve during transformer operation. The liquid insulating material inthe 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 dielectricproperties of the oil. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are widely used for this purpose.

Although the term “insulator” implies low electrical conduction, “dielectric” is typically usedto describe materials with a high polarizability (see note below).

PCBs were widely used as dielectric and coolant fluids, for example intransformers, capacitors, and electric motors. Due to PCBs’ toxicity and classification asa persistent organic pollutant, PCB production was banned by the United States Congressin 1979 and by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in 2001. Concernsabout the toxicity of PCBs are largely based on compounds within this group that share astructural similarity and toxic mode of action with dioxin. Toxic effects such as endocrinedisruption 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 drinkingwater systems is 0.5 ppb.

CEB, LECO and Lanka Transformers Limited still use PCBs in their transformers and thedisposal of it needs careful consideration. Burning the oil produces Dioxins and Furanswhich are extremely harmful.

Spills of stored oils can cause contamination of ground and surface waters, soil and air. Oneof 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 theirdaily operations. They use saw-dust to absorb any oil that is spilled during draining oftransformers, and saw-dust soaked with transformer oil is handed over to the relevant localauthority for disposal or disposed in open dumps. Therefore, there is a possibility of dumpingand 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 oldstorage 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 oilto the ground.

In view of this, the disposal of transformer oil is a much of a serious nature than key-gasesthat emanate during operation. It would be of interest to know of CEB’s plans for properdisposal of transformer oil and replacement of PCBs with more acceptable additives such asPyranol-151 and Pyralen-E which have been used at Samanala Wewa Power Station and atNew Laxapana Power Station.

Note (for Non-Electrical engineers):

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

Calling Applications:Professional Review – August/September

2012 for IESL Corporate Membership(Charter)

Completed Applications are accepted from 10th May to 15th

June 20121. The eligibility requirement of ‘one year completion after the Associate membership’ hasbeen removed only for Aug / Sep 2012 PR.

2. IESL application form E “for election/transfer as a Member” can be downloaded fromthe membership area of the website www.iesl.lk

3. Fees applicable for Professional Review by that time (10th May 2012 onwards) will becharged.

4. In your “Training & Experience Report”, Signature + Seal of the certifying Engineersare necessary.

5. The Log Book and the record of CPD must be submitted together with the Applicationand ‘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 andexperience and Design/Project is required at the Interview time. (Details will be givenlater)

8 Please read the “Revised Professional review Rules” in the website for further details.

Membership Division - IESL

CorrectionIn my article entitled 'New Skills for Engi-neers' in the April 2012 issue of SLEN, thereference given should be corrected asPan'na Sutta in Anguttara Nikaya and notMajjima Nikaya as was given. I apologize forthis mistake and thank Dr. GaminiKulatunga for pointing this out.

Eng Sarath Chandrasiri

Driverless Cars

The latest addition to the long list ofoperator-less modes of travel is thehumble motor car. Google recently got a

“driving license” (or to be exact a “driverlesslicense”) to a modified Toyota Prius in NevadaUSA, that drives by itself. The car uses videocameras mounted on its roof, radar sensors anda laser range finder, to “see” other traffic. Googleengineers have earlier tested a prototype of thecar on the California roads with a driver at thewheel who was there only to take over in anemergency.The entire test driving, including thecrossing of the San Francisco’s landmark GoldenGate Bridge, was by a Computer. Google claimsthat their prototype operated for 140,000 miles,driverless, with no accident reported.

This may sound like fantasy. However, a computertheoretically can drive a car equally well or evenbetter than a human driver. We drive cars usingsignals we receive from our sensors, mainly visualand aural. Electronic sensors with appropriatelywritten software can perform the task even betterwith their ability to cover a longer and a wider rangeof distance with a lower time of reaction. However,the only function that a computer may not be ableto perform in relation to the humans is the sensingof reactions of other fellow motorists, an attributeas vital as one’s driving aptitude when it comes todriving along our Asian roads.

It is encouraging to note however that we too wouldsoon be travelling in driverless cars. The world atlarge has already witnessed unmanned spacecrafts, pilotless shuttle trains at airports,unmanned deep diving submersibles, remotelyoperated military drones and auto pilot operatedjet airplanes. It is for the first time that thetechnology has arrived on the roads.

Nevertheless, the real challenge for the Sri LankanEngineers at this time would be to adopt thedriverless technology to our roads, notoriouslycongested with not only heartless but also withbrainless drivers!

Sri Lanka Engineering News - May 2012IESL NEWS 5

Puzzle - 50Pressure Measurement

Deviceand A Special Prize of

Rs. 5,000

Solution for PuzzleNo. 46

Correct answer must be sent by email to cebos@ceb.lk with copies topuzzleguru.lk@gmail.com. Please indicate your name, membershipnumber and date of birth along with the answer. Also indicate the puzzlenumber in the subject line of the email. A list of readers who gave thecorrect answer along with the solution will be published in the June2012 issue of the SLEN

A half century of puzzles have gone by. To commemorate this special occasion, aspecial 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 bedone!

The second puzzle, which appears at the end, is a cipher text puzzle. Listen carefully. I willsay this only once. I am not offering any monetary reward for that. But the pleasure of solvingthat puzzle would exceed Rs 5,000 in value – at least for some, if not for all. So have a go atit too.

Puzzle 50-A: This time I am presenting an easy and interesting puzzle that I made up, thatany one with a basic knowledge of physics would be able to solve. I have a gas pipe wherethe 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 budgetfor 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, whichmade 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:

The tubes were made of a flexible transparent plastic material. I was told that no liquid otherthan water is used in the system. The resolution of 10 cm/bar in the outer tube was goodenough for my purposes. Additionally, the measuring range of the tube was close enough toground level for convenient measurement. The problem was that the owner did not want toreveal what is inside the locked box. What could be the simplest device/arrangement insidethe box?

Puzzle 50-B: Here is the message in Cypher Text. Isde ise eede astle uzzlepe atde edeuruge ise oinge ote ublishpe. Ayhe avehe adhe enhe oufhe ofhe isde. Alfhe a enturyse isheorme ande enhe oufhe.

The encryption algorithm used in this case is a very old and simple one. So it should not bedifficult for wise guys like you to decrypt the meassage. As I said the feeling is going to beexhilarating.

Announcement: I have launched my own web site www.puzzlegurulanka.com. Pleasevisit it for some interesting technical presentations.

Happy Puzzling to All!

Puzzle Guru Sarath ChandrasiriPuzzle Guru Sarath ChandrasiriPuzzle Guru Sarath ChandrasiriPuzzle Guru Sarath ChandrasiriPuzzle Guru Sarath Chandrasiri

If the capacity is reduced to C* (through immediate firing ofstaff), the time during which the demand catches up with C*should be adequate to train new staff. Therefore, y shouldnot be less than T (training time),else there won’t be enoughtime to train people.

∴C*≥ D + TG where G is the growth rate (rate of increaseof demand).

Cost minimization

If, after immediately reducing capacity to C*, it takes x daysfor the demand to catch up with C*, and if the number ofworkers fired is n, the wage saving is nxW (W being thewage/day). If this is greater than the hiring and training costnA, (that is if x>A/W) it is worth the while firing staff as thewage saving xW exceeds A. If, however, x<A/W, the wagesaving would be <A. Therefore, the limit to which capacityshould be reduced is D+ (A/W) G.

Thus the optimum level to which capacity should be reducedshould be the higher of (D + TG) and (D + AG/W) providedthis 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 ex-employee - has to undergo training,the latter costing A per

employee).

Contributed by Eng Ranil Senaratne

C

C*

Dx

time

G/day/day

Note: - Capacityis the rate atwhichsomething can beproduced, anddemand is therate at which it iswanted. C is thecurrent capacity

time

C

C*

D y

G/day/day

Only one solution was received for this puzzle. It was fromMenaka Devaraja (AM-8583).

46 (A):

The first laugh: Naturally the fool does not want others toknow what an idiot he is. So, when others laugh, he joinsin to hide his stupidity. I would have done the same. But itis not genuine.

The second laugh: By and by, the real meaning of thejoke dawns on him and that makes him laugh, this timegenuinely.

The third laugh: By and by, it dawns upon him what anidiot he has been not to understand the joke with theothers. This time he laughs at himself.

46B: Time constraint

Postscript to P-46This “puzzle” has been culled from a Harvard Universitypostgraduate case study wherein it is not possible to proceedwith the analysis of the case without first solving the“puzzle”.I understand that many Harvard students have been able tosolve the “puzzle” which has two noteworthy features:

1) It does not require a knowledge of specific concepts ortheories of any discipline except elementary algebra andmay be a bit of geometry

Contd. on page 11....

Sri Lanka Engineering News - May 2012IESL NEWS6

UTE partners with the IESL to launch theElectrical Engineers Forum 2012

JIY Awareness Program held onApril 20, and May 02nd 2012 by

Wayamba Provincial Centre

Contd. from page 1....

Seminar on'Hybrid

Vehicles' heldon 12 May, 2012

by WayambaProvincial

CentreThe seminar wasconducted on 12th

May 2012 at the Hotel Blue Sky,Negombo Road, Kurunegala. Theprogramme was open to the generalpublic and Eng. DeepthaAppuhamy explained the high techinvolved with hybrid vehicles. Timewas allocated for participants toraise questions with regard to hybridvehicles; it was a very successfulevent and participants put forwardmany questions related to vehiclemaintenance and other importantaspects of the hybrid vehicles.

R.A.H. Rajamanthri, Chairman IESLWayamba Centre, Kurunegala,15.05.2012

framework for the functionalunbundling and regulation ofthe electricity supply industry.Our ultimate goal is economicefficiency of the sector, andthe provision of reliable,adequate and cost-effectiveservice to customers. January2011 was seen as a newbeginning in the sector butthis needs to be fullyunderstood by all thestakeholders if we are goingto able to implement effectualchange.”

Dr. Siyambalapitiya addedthat, “shedding stagnanttraditional ideas in the face ofthe new regulatory environmentis a difficult task and there areproblems andmisunderstandings amongalmost all the stakeholders onhow this system works, andhow customers and the societyat large would benefit from it.

But we need to give economic

regulation a chance to proveitself”.

The presentation focusedon what has to be done byeach key stakeholder torescue the ailing electricityindustry.The presentation set thetone for the subsequentpanel discussion; thepanelists were Eng.Jayasiri Karunanayaka -Senior Consultant

Eng. (Dr.) Tilak Siyambalapitiya doing his presentation Eng. (Prof.) K K Y W Perera being presented with amemento by UTE CEO Mr. Riyad Ismail

Panelist Eng. Damitha Kumarasinghe, Director General,PUCSL being presented a memento by President, IESL

Section of the audience

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

the UTE.

Engineer, Eng. DamithaKumarasinghe – DirectorGeneral PUCSL and Eng.Bandula Thilakasena -Additional General ManagerCEB, with Prof. K. K. Y. W.Perera – Advisor to the Ministryof Power and Energymoderating.

Commenting on the sponsorshipUTE CEO, Mr. Riyad Ismail,said “understanding the newregulatory framework andeconomic dynamics are vital forall those stakeholders in theengineering sector whendeciding on the best affordablesources of energy, be it short

term cost savings or to achievea competitive advantage in thelong run. That is why we areproud to have supported IESL’sElectrical Engineering Forum2012; and we would also like tocommend them for the initiativethey are showing to sparkdiscourse”.

Sri Lanka Engineering News - May 2012IESL NEWS 7

Sri Lanka Engineering News - May 2012IESL NEWS8

Engineering Education in Sri Lankaby K. D. DUMINDUSENA

Engineering isconsidered as thepractical application

of scientific principlesdirecting the great sourcesof power in nature for the useand convenience of man. Itis recorded that engineeringeducation in the countrystarted after theindependence granted by theBritish Colonialadministration. The purposeof this article is to examinethe expansion of engineeringeducation in Sri Lanka andits contribution to the post-independence economicdevelopment of the country.

History

Historical monuments, likeDagabos, Tanks, irrigationcanals and stone sculpturessituated in Anuradhapura,Polonnaruwa, Kandy andRuhuna areas, reveal that adeveloped engineeringsystem of some form existedin ancient Sri Lanka. Modernday engineers have oftenwondered about thetechnology used in ancientirrigation systems; theBissokotuwa and slopes ofirrigation canals beingexamples of engineeringmarvels constructed by thepeople in ancient Sri Lanka.

That there was developedtechnology in ancient SriLanka therefore leads us toconclude that there wasengineering education ofsome form under theindigenous educationsystem of the country

Technical education

Western type educationsystem had commencedwith the arrival of Europeansin the country in 16th and17th centuries.With thedevelopment of the plantationsector in the British Colonialperiod – the British rulersstarted cultivating coffee andtea in the upcountry lands,the need arose for railway androad network infrastructurefacilities to cater to thetransport needs of theirsurging export trade. TheBritish rulers had to bringengineers and techniciansfrom England forconstructing them. Inaddition English engineersand technicians served in theconstruction work of theColombo harbour,

Government factory and otherengineering works in thecountry.

The Ceylon University Collegewas founded in 1921 to preparestudents for the University ofLondon’s external degreeexaminations in Arts andScience.The College awarded30 scholarships to followexternal degree in the Universityof London and reserved twoscholarships for sciencestudents to follow engineeringdegree courses.

The main activity of the CeylonTechnical College was thepreparation of students for theAssociate MembershipExaminations of the three majorprofessional institutions inBritain at that time. During theperiod 1942 - 1950, there were210 professional engineers inthe country Out of them, 104had graduated from theUniversity of London.

University education

The University of Ceylon wasestablished in 1942 with theamalgamation of CeylonMedical College and CeylonUniversity College on July 1,1942. Later on, the policy toestablish a Faculty ofEngineering in the University ofCeylon was agreed upon..Accordingly the University ofCeylon set up the first Facultyof Engineering on July 1, 1950and it was temporarily locatedin Colombo.

At the beginning, the facultystarted with the threedepartments; civil, electricaland mechanical engineeringand admitted 25 students for theengineering courses for the firsttime. The Engineering Facultywas housed in the premises ofthe university at Reid Avenue,Colombo and practical classeswere held at the TechnicalCollege, Maradana from 1950 -1964.

After completion of the buildingsat Peradeniya, the Faculty ofEngineering was moved toPeradeniya University grounds.Professor E.O.E.Pereira wasthe first Dean of the Faculty ofEngineering. The intake for theuniversity admission wereincreased from 25 in 1950, to150 in 1964 and 250 in1979.More than10,000 graduates hadpassed out from the Faculty ofEngineering in the University of

Peradeniya during theperiod of 1950 to 2010.

Expansion ofEngineering Education

In 1972, under the provisionof University Act No 1 of1972, the Ceylon College ofTechnology, at Katubeddawas promoted to universitystatus and it was foundedas Katubedda Campusunder the single Universityof Sri Lanka. It becamethe University of Moratuwawith effect from 01.01.1979under the provisions of theUniversities Act No 17 of1978. At the beginningthere were two Faculties forEngineering andArchitecture. Beforeobtaining the universitystatus, Ceylon College ofTechnology had conductedcourses for NationalDiploma Technology inCivil, Electrical andMechanical streams and itwas continued under theUniversity of Moratuwa too.Now it has three facultiesviz; Faculties ofEngineering, Architectureand Information Technologywith a total studentpopulation of about 4,000.

The Faculty of Engineering,attached to the Universityof Ruhuna was founded in1999 at Hapugala, Galle.At the beginning about 100students were admitted forits engineering courses.There are four departmentsand about 500 students arestudying at present.

Students for the universityengineering degreecourses are selected onthe results of G.C.E.(A/L)examinations in thephysical science streamby the University GrantsCommission annually. TheUniversity GrantsCommission admits about1,300 students to theengineering faculties ofuniversities of Peradeniya,Moratuwa and Ruhuna. Theuniversities provideeducation to students inbasic disciplines of Civil,Electrical and Electronics,Mechanical, Production,Chemical and InformationTechnology. In addition, SriLankan universities offer

Contd. on page 11...

Certificate Course

on

“Safety&

Health Management” conducted by

THE INSTITUTION OFENGINEERS, SRI LANKA

For whom?Engineers & Managers

Course Modules:Loss Prevention Concepts & Recognition of

HazardsSpecific Safety Management Systems1Specific Safety Management Systems 2Risk ManagementAccident Investigation and Analysis

Resource Person: Eng DhammikaWelhenge

Venue: Seminar Room,The Institution of Engineers,Sri Lanka120/15, Wijerama Mawatha,Colombo 7.

Duration & Time: From 0900 – 1600 hrs (fiveconsecutive Saturdays)

Commencing on

16 June 2012

Course Fee: SLR 25,000/- for IESLmembers and SLR27,000/- fornon-members (Inclusiveof course materials, lunchand refreshments)

Application forms could be obtained from theEE&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

CORRECTIONThe SLEN April 2012 issue carried an articletitled ‘Mechanical Engineering SectionalCommittee Field Visit to Yugadanavi PowerPlant – 300MW CCPP at Kerawalapitiya’ onpage 9.

Please note that the article was authored byEng. Janitha Ekanayake and not Eng.Janaka Rathnakumara as inadvertantlypublished.

We apologise for the mistake.

Sri Lanka Engineering News - May 2012IESL NEWS 9

Engineering For Industry - Efi 2012

The Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya with its long-standing reputation for excellence in engineering education is glad to announcethat, the annual Industry Day Efi2012 was successfully held at the faculty premises on 27th April 2012. Display of research findings and servicesavailable for the industry were the highlights of this year’s 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 WinnersThe winners of the competitions organized by the organizations outside the university system as well as representatives of the country at internationalcompetitions were appraised at Efi 2012. The list of award winners are given below. There were also a large no of undergraduates who have wonvarious inter-university competitions and full colours in sports.

IESL President Eng. (Dr.) Ananda Ranasingheaddressing the gathering as the chief guest.

1. Champions of Imagine CupSri Lanka 2011, Organized byMicrosoft Cooperation, andrepresented the country at theinternational competition heldin New York, USA.Lahiru D. Senadheera,Lakshitha Herath, DinushanM. Samarakoon, MadusankaUpendra Dassanayake

2. Champions of Robocon2011 in Sri Lanka andrepresented the country at theworld competition held inThailand (G.I.R.K.Galgamuwa, L.K.G. Liyanage, K.V.C. Niranjan)

3. Winners of Inter-UniversityEnterprise MobilityCompetition organized byMotorolaThilina Sampath Herath ,Prebuddha Sri Rahal,Rukshan Rajapakshe, UpulChathuranga Senanayake

4. Winner of AppZonesoftware competitionorganized by EtisalatD.H Tharindu Dassanayake He is also the winner ofsoftware competitionmBillionth organized by Undergraduates attending the job fair. Nearly 50

companies seeking young engineers participated inthe job fair.

The Vice Chancellor awarding a prize

Vodafone and became oneof the finalists at thecompetition held in IndiaFurther, he won E-Swabhimani award forcountry’s best e-commercesoftware applicationorganized by Informationand Technology Agency,Sri Lanka

5. Winners of E-Swabhimani organized byInformation andTechnology Agency, SriLankaD.M.A.K Dissanayake,W.M.D.R. Gunathilake

6. Winner of UndergraduateInventor of the Year (UIY)Competition for the year2011, organized by IESLH S Jayakody, P S N Perera,R R de Silva Bulathge, S MK B Samarakoon

7. Winners of the bestUndergraduates Project inElectrical Engineering,organized by IESLand the winners of the LateMrs. E W KarunarathnaMemorial Award for 20111st place - D B WAbeywardana, K EWijethilake, S E

Wijethilake, M G C PMediwaththa 2 nd place:HP A P Jayawardana, H W KM Amarasekara, P T SPeelikumbura, W A K CJayathilaka

8. Recipients of MigaraRatnatunga Trust Awardsfor the Best UndergraduatesProjects in IndustrialTraining for the year 2011,organized by IESLH W K M Amarasekara, TM S C Jayasinghe, H SJayakody, B M M PBalasuriya, C T J Fernando

9. Winners of the best paperaward, Annual TechnicalConference, organized byInstitution of Engineeringand TechnologyD.B.W. Abeywardana, K.E. Wijethilaka, S. E.Wijethilaka, M.G.C.P.Mediwaththe

10. Best speaker of theSpeak Out for Engineers(SOFE) contest 2011conducted by Institution ofMechanical EngineersLondon D.M.A.R.Uyanwatte

11. Selected for the finalround of International GoSC(Google Summer Code),organized by GoogleIncorporation. ThilinaAbeyrathne, ChanakaDharmarathne, LaliDevamanthri, GayanSukumal Viharagoda

12. Champion and the bestunrated player of the 3 Morakings International Ratingchess championship 2010.S. M. P. S. Samaraweera

13. Represented the countryat the world UniversityGames, China 2011H. Y.Weerathunga, She isalso a member of theNational swimming team,Sri Lanka.

14. Represented the countryat the World UniversityGames 2011 held in Chinaand Winner of the InterUniversity games, 2011.K.M.H.K. Konara

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

Contd. on page 11....

Sri Lanka Engineering News - May 2012IESL NEWS10

THE INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, SRI LANKA

Competitionon

“Eco Efficient Water Infrastructure forSustainable Development – Experiencesgained from Integrated Water ResourcesInfrastructure Development in Sri Lanka”

Session 2011/2012Sponsored by

St. Anthony’s 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 areaccepted from members of IESL who are above 35 years.

There will also be another competition for members who are 35 years and below on 01October 2012. This competition is open to members of IESL and final year students ofFaculties of Engineering of Universities in Sri Lanka who are student members of IESLor who obtain such membership before submitting their technical papers.

AWARDS & PRIZESABOVE 35 YEARS ON BELOW ON 35 YEARS AND 2012.10.012012.10.01

First Prize - Rs. 50,000/= First Prize - Rs. 25,000/=Second Prize - Rs. 25,000/= Second Prize - Rs.15,000/=Third Prize - Rs. 10,000/= Third Prize - Rs. 5,000/=

The members (Fellows, Members, Associate Members, Associates, Companionsand Students) who wish to participate must obtain the application forms fromIESL and submit bio data & full Technical Papers to reach the ExecutiveSecretary, Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka, No. 120/15, Wijerama Mawatha,Colombo 07 on or before 30th June 2012.

Further information could be obtained from theChairman, Steering Committee on Water ResourcesDevelopment of The Institution of Engineers, SriLanka, on Tel: 072- 3421493 or Publicity Officer-IESL 011-2685490, 011-2698426 or 011-2699210, ext-232, 207, E-mail: dir.pub@iesl.lk,ieslpub@gmail.com, Fax : 011-2699202

Eng. Tilak de Silva, Chief Guest being welcomedby Eng. C Weerasekera, the Chairman of IESL

Southern Centre

Annual General Meeting - IESL Southern Centre

The chief guest being ceremonially conductedto the Ballroom

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

Treasurer

Outgoing Chairman, Eng. C Weerasekera address-ing the gathering. However Eng. C Weerasekera

was reappointed as Chairman for the new sessionby a unanimous decision.

New office bearers for the next session

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

Eng. L C Pushpa Kumara tabling the minutes of theprevious session on behalf of the Secretary

NOTICE

UPDATINGDIRECTORIES OF

STRUCTURALENGINEERS ANDARBITRATORS -ADJUDICATORS

Copies of the directories ofStructural Engineers and Arbi-trators – Adjudicators are avail-able with the IESL receptionist.Action is being taken by theIESL to publish new directo-ries. Hence kindly makechanges, if any to the informa-tion given by you to publishthose directories enabling us toinclude them in the new direc-tories.

The deadline isextended uptoJune 30, 2012.

Sri Lanka Engineering News - May 2012IESL NEWS 11

postgraduate courses for the MSc, MPhill, MBA and PhD.

Institutional engineering education

In addition to universities, some institutions too provide education for students in engineeringdisciplines to award degrees, diplomas and certificates together with training. The OpenUniversity of Sri Lanka had started engineering and technology courses to provide educationunder distance education schemes for the award of degree, diploma and certificate levelqualifications..

Technical Colleges, Hardy Technical Institute, Katunayake Technical institute, AdvancedTechnical Institute, Katubedda Higher Technical Institute, German Technical College are theinstitutions that provide education and training related to engineering disciplines to traintechnicians, 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 associationnamed ‘Association of Engineers’. It was the oldest premier body representing the engineeringprofession in Sri Lanka. This apex body was incorporated by an Act of Parliament in 1968under the Provisions of Act No 17 of 1968 and amended Act No 3 of 1996 as Institution ofEngineers Sri Lanka (IESL).

This institution conducts a degree engineering course and continuing professional developmentcourses to promote the career progress of the profession. IESL offers individual and corporatememberships. There are five categories of memberships. The types of membership of IESLare Fellow, Honorary Fellow, Member, Associate Member and Students Member. Themembership provides access to a network of knowledge and opportunity to develop one’sexpertise in the profession.

Engineers who obtained engineering education from Sri Lankan universities and other highereducational institutes, made significant contributions in the construction of roads, bridges,irrigation canals and tanks, hydro power systems, buildings and other major developmentprograms after independence.

Modern development of the country is a result of contributions of engineers who had obtainedengineering education in Sri Lanka. Engineering education has been expanded during thepost independence period with the development of secondary and higher education in SriLanka.

(The writer is Director/Education, Examination & Training, Institution of Engineers, SriLanka)

Contd. from page 8....

Engineering Education....

Contd. from page 9... Engineering For Industry.....

Nearly 3000 school students visited the faculty

IESL BENEVOLENT FUND

The IESL Benevolent Fund provides much needed reliefto members and their families rendered distraught byunfortunate events.

The fund, at present, offers financial assistance up to Rs60,000/= in the event of sudden death / sickness of amember, unexpected and serious loss of income to amember or any other cause which the Board ofManagement of the Benevolent Fund considers asdeserving such assistance.

All members, irrespective of class of their membershipand regardless of their contributions are eligible to bebeneficiaries of the fund. Appeals for financial assistancefrom the IESL Benevolent Fund should be channeledthrough the Executive Secretary by filling out a formspecified for the purpose which is available on request.

Contd. from page 5....

2) It requires considerable ingenuity

Though the problem may not look like a typical puzzle, it hints at the fact that there could bemany problems in day-to-day life,though not amenable to sophisticated methods, could yieldto a mix of creativity, logicand basic numeracy. When a problem appears intractable toadvanced (or elementary) concepts and theories,we have a tendency to abandon it. Thatprobably is what happened with readers’ response to this problem; little realizing that manyproblematic situations are amenable to ingenuity.

On a more disquieting note,it might be asked why no one from a large group of Sri Lankanengineers(who presumably got very good marks at “A Levels” followed by good classes intheir engineering degrees)could solve a problem that many Harvard postgraduate studentshave been able to.

Calling for Applications to Serve onProfessional Review (PR) Panels

Applications are invited from Corporate Members who are either “Fellows”,or “Members” (with more than 10 years post charter experience) in therelevant field of engineering, to serve on the PR panels.

Please send in your CV including a career report with a covering letteraddressed to the Director (Membership), IESL to be received on or before30th June 2012. You may either email to des.mem@iesl.lk or send by postor hand over to the Membership Division of the IESL.

Those who are already on the panels and those who have already sent inapplications 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.

Solution for Puzzle....

Sri Lanka Engineering News - May 2012IESL NEWS12

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