New Power Projects

Several new power projects commenced during this time with the change in government. The UNP government under the leadership of J.R.Jayawardena in 1977 made vast development program involving Five large scale power projects.I was involved in providing power supplies to these projects. It was Bowatenna, Kothmale and Victoria the three of five power projects where my involvement were high.I had to construct primary substations and other distribution substations in each case.There was no power line in the close proximity as such several new lengthy 33kv lines was a must.

Completion of CEB Exams

During my stay in Kandy, I managed to complete final(5th) CEB examination and quantifier to become an Engineer.Since my service is 7 years,I had to wait for further 3 years.However, my desire to become qualified Engineer remained and as such I followed private tuition for CEI Part II during week ends.
My tuition mates were Mr.Asoka Suibasinghe and Mr.Wasantha Kumar both of them became qualified engineers and I could not sit for CEI Exams.

Rural Electrification Schemes in Hanguranketha Electorate

Upon completion of Bandarawela Agricalcture centre job and Yatinuwara job ,I was entrusted with RE extensions in Hanguranketha electorate.I had to complete 4 extensions at 2to 4 kms apart.I stayed in village respectable families home's with full means.We were well treated by the villagers during our construction period.

Opening of Rural Electrification Schemes

There were couple of occasions where Rural Electrification Schemes opened in ceremonially.The Minister of Irrigation and Power usually did this when the Prime Minister is away from the country as the Minister acted for PM in such instances.

One day I managed to open 4 schemes with 4 plaques depicting the then political authority.These cost added to the  scheme as no money comes from the Ministry.There were instances where Diesel Generators installed in such small schemes where no possibility of Medium Voltage lines and Substations were possible.

The cost of operation of such power genies ,though run at night only, was very high.

Regional Agriculture Research Center

In Kandy my first job under Mr.V.Chinniah,the site engineer was this.I took over from another ES and manage to complete the work within 2 weeks.It was a surprise to my boss as the scheduled day of completion was 4 weeks from take over.
The pole mounted substation installed on two very heavy RC poles,manufactured by State Engineering Corporation of Sri Lanka.Each pole is 1.3 metric tons of weight.The erection location was in a estate terrain by the side of estate road. We did not have cranes those days to handle heavy work.

Conductor Theft in a Site

It was an incident of my gang. The general practice of the stores was to dispatch materials required for a job by stores lorry.We advise them in advance for them to deliver giving locations etc.It was a Saturday I was waiting for materials to come till evening as I had to rush home for a weekend.
Materials came and I checked everything and dumped at the site at Gannoruwa in Yatinuwara Electorate.The 800m LT line could not be completed due to short of conductors and the matter was reported to higher authorities.The balance conductors ordered and I shifted to another site in Hanguranketha Electorate.
A complaint over a telephone received by the Additional General Manager about the shortage and internal audite was sent to my new site.The final decision was to put the shortage on the construction gang and total loss to CEB with 25% surcharges recovered from the workmen
It was revealed that the complaint made by a driver against the linesmen for private incident.

Electrification work with tough Member of Parliment

During this time the Member of Parliment for Maiyangana electorate became a tough member to deal with since he became popular with the assault of an Education Officer of high rank in Colombo office.The MP wanted us to see him in one weekend at his electorate and construction engineer,commercial engineer and myself tried to see him at the particular location and unfortunately we had to locate him at somewhere else.
We faced him with some courage and spend two days with him in resolving his new electrification works.There was no rough incident with this MP as we managed to sort out everything except that the request for electrification for pending payments.We simply convinced him that we cannot obtain materials for any work without funds and he was OK.

My trip to Minneriya

In late 1975 while working in Kandy Center in SriLanka I happened to visit Minneriya and Polonnaruwa with two of my friends.That was during a day we pay subsistence to workmen who worked in different parts of the country.Three of us started travelling to Minneriya in the evening by a jeep.We started drinking alcohol and on the way one of my friends wanted to drive the vehicle.There were some arguments between my friend and driver which became a real quarrel.At about nearing Minneriya due to upset by one of my friends the jeep ran away and knocked against a ditch.There were no major problems and those injured were admitted to Polonnaruwa hospital.The EE Minneriya came at around 11.00 PM immediately after the accident and took me to his quarters to pass the night.
The particular officer discontinued from the service after the accident on grounds those counted his behavior earlier too.

Electrical Construction in Kandy Area

My transfer to CEB Kandy unit under Senior Center Engineer(Construction) made some changes to my life with the experience I got. I had to goto Bandarawela , a cold climate area, where a LT line with a substation was under construction. I had to travel home(Colombo) with every other day as my wife was expecting for second baby.I used the night train very often and covered both ends . The work supposed to be completed by 2 months was completed within One and a half months as my workmen gave a full support to me. I must thank them forever.

My Engineer,Mr. V.Chinniah was very satisfied with my performance. The criterion behind my success was that I was kind enough to the workmen than my predecessor.

I then continued to serve in the Kandy Center for four years and the electrical experience and others will be covered in different topics.