How did I obtain my Electrical Engineering Experience

New Power Projects

2011-08-25T19:34:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-28T20:05:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-25T22:55:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-29T08:24:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-03T05:34:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-13T18:27:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-13T18:22:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-31T21:02:00.000-07:00

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

2011-01-19T18:49:00.000-08:00

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.

My Transfer to Kandy unit-Immediate

2010-09-21T05:12:00.000-07:00

In 1975 , while I was working at Deniyaya , there was a message asking me to report to Colombo immediately.The message came through CEB depot and I packed up to Colombo during the weekend. There was a message with my home that I was transferred to Kandy unit immediately. The coming Monday was some problematic on the news I got from friends.

On analysing the cause of my transfer, it was possible to find the reason, as a women involved in it. A powerful lady who was good with a them Deputy General Manager insisted that Amaradasa be removed from Colombo office. The lady had an evening drop out home by the DGM who passed the Maharagama town almost every day. When a friend of mine who fall in love with this lady inquired about her. I simply told that she was having a affair with DGM as such she is not good for marriage.Thus within few days my friend told the story to her lover and broke away. The DGM ordered me to go to Kandy unit.

My Transfer to CE(Construction Designs)

2010-09-20T20:34:00.000-07:00

I managed to go to Colombo in April 1972 and reported to Chief Engineer(Construction Designs). The transfer provided me to continue studies in becoming an engineer.Mr K.A.Ranaweera was my immediate boss who handled route survey and wayleaves of medium voltage lines constructed by Chief Engineer(Transmission Construction). Initially I had to clear back log of wayleave compensation in the MOP Stage 2 work which covered the southern region of the country starting from Ratnapura,Balangoda to Kataragama.

Within three months of my transfer the real work connected in the branch commenced and it was real route survey work together with the branch surveyor. A line between Kallumalei and Kiriwanaketiya rubber factory surveyed with utmost difficulties. The entire route was in rubber estates and offsets taken every 50m or before to avoid rubber trees. It was not possible to cut rubber trees as the preliminary survey does not mean to be final. I learned route survey methodology and looked interesting. During my three year stay in the branch I was able to survey several important lines including Embilipitiya- Deniyaya 33KV DC Line.

2009-12-12T08:23:00.000-08:00

My Creative Work Started in Balangoda

2009-11-13T18:49:00.000-08:00

Although I was not sure what I should do at the beginning of my carrier, I developed myself into recognition within short period of time.

The first thing that became popular was the detection of daily failures of 33kV line to Milk Board factory in Kaltota Road, Balangoda. The HT line originated at the town council substation has a set of DDLO switch and a set of pin insulators to take jumpers to the line. I saw the insulator's color changed at the connection point with some white spots. This was pointed out to my linesmen and later to the Engineer. No body took a note of it and the DDLo fuse blowing continued almost daily. When fuses are inserted it holds and at night when deposits of dew increases the 33kV line's insulation drops and fuse blows.
At last, I managed to send my linesmen up and asked him the replace the insulator to notice that a tiny hole created within the cap of the insulator with a crack caused the power failure and that was that failure.

My Engineer, finally asked me why I suspeccted the insulator and I said it's color deterioration made me suspected and the swinging of the set of insulators and jumpers at the time of inserting a fuse with man's force. The swinging of the set of insulators and structure managed by complete replacement of the rail pole structure with solid concrete pole structure.
The Engineer then instructed others not to use rails for such cases except at intermediate poles.

Do you have electricity problems need attention

2009-10-30T23:13:00.000-07:00

If you have any type of electricity problem, you may contact me so that I can help you. The problems may be one or more of following types.

that needs attention of Ceylon Electricity Board / Lanka Electricity Company

Electricity wiring problems

experience low voltages

frequent breakdowns

any other matters

my contact numbers are

0777-256256

pwamar@sltnet.lk

My episode with Area Engineer

2009-10-26T21:09:00.000-07:00

New Engineer Reports

In 1971, after insurgency,a new engineer came to Balangoda area. I had to pick him up at a well known guest house to see him first time. When we try to get in to the vehicle,I occupied the middle seat of the land rover and he showed a displeasure and got in to the seat.

He does not like others to be in the front seats while he travels.

As the time goes, one day, I went to Panawenna tea factory to find accommodation for my workmen to commence construction work of the 33kv line and substation. I failed to take my crew as promised and after a week my engineer called me to see him.

When I entered the room I usually take a seat but this time he asked me who asked to sit. I got up and tried to leave the room but the engineer called me to show a telegram. The telegram reads that your engineer failed to reach my factory though promised.

The content 'Engineer" did not like the area engineer as he thought that I usually behave like an Engineer.Then I explained the matter to him and this was the beginning of my dislike on him.

There were more stories....

IESL Part II

2009-07-28T07:51:00.000-07:00

In 1972 The results of IESL(IEC) in 1972 came out indicating that I passed the examination and is required to submit coursework pertaining to the offered subjects. The IESL arranged course work at Katubedda campus for which I had to pay for it.

Upon submission coursework the Institution offered me to follow a 2 year full time course for part III and that too to be arranged in Katubedda.

Since I had to depend on my salary and two years no pay leave caused me to switched to CEI and the part I excemption was asked for but the results of IESL part II did not submit by the Secretary ,IESL.

I did not gave up and completed CEI part I succesfully . At this time , My transfer to Kandy office by the then additional General Manager caused me to discontinue education for sometime. During this period I did all sort of things to improve my financial situation and slowly started the part II together with Mr.Wasantha Kumar and Asoka Subasinghe. I did not sit for the examination while others sat for it and completed it.

The pressure on me by the additional General Manager increased as such I had to stop sitting for the exam.

My efforts to recommence have not suceeded as such I waited for appoinment by way of CEB Examinations in 1979.

How I Managed JVP Insurrection in 1971

2009-07-16T19:56:00.000-07:00

In 1971 April,several clashes reported with police. It started at Wellawaya Police and spread through out the island. Luckily for me, no such clashes in the area of Balangoda but sooner the Govt. made some arrangements to protect its assets . A army platoon occupied my office in Balangoda and started their operations for the area.

The Engineer on 6th April called me at home as it was a declared holiday, asked me to arrange for 33kV line round the Grid Substation premises and vanished. On hearing this Mr. Lionel Ranwala, a famous artist who was trapped with my brother because of curfew, asked me not to do these killing actions as you have no licence to make electrical fences to kill people. Ranwala and my brother were teaching together at R/Kiriella MMV. So when the engineer called back with confirmation of fence told me to start tomorrow. Then I asked Engineer to give me a letter in writing to erect a line below 6 feet vertically as it does not have any safety to humans. That ended with my request and never mentioned about it again. I must thank Mr.Ranwala who is not living now.
The density of insurrection went down as the govt. managed to secure their strong holds and security in Balangoda continued in Balangoda.

The army supplied with tin Beer and rich food and we, staff in my office, too enjoyed with them by providing arrack to them we managed to taste tin beerand other imported food types .

How workmen removed Conductors

2009-07-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

It was in 1971 before, insurgency, I noticed loss of a Aluminium drum at my site and I questioned my stores man who looks after them noted that it stolen by somebody while they were sleeping last night. I did not believe what he mentioned as he started scratching the head while answering. The matter was kept as secret since I did not questioned the linesmen in charge.
It was after 3 weeks that I noticed a person believed from Local Body nearby inquired for some more items from the store man but both did not know that I just entered from the yard from back side and listen to the conversation.
Immediately I came in to the scene and the visitor vanished. I called all the workmen and inquired the matter and noted that the item was sold to local body for Rs3500.00 by the linesmen.
Workmen were transferred out of site as a punishment as they brought back the item the following day.

Local body officers had the power to purchase such a big item? who knows what happened?

My Motor Cycle accident

2009-07-01T03:08:00.000-07:00

It was in December,1969, immediate after my marriage, I traveled with my engineer with his Vespa scooter home after work.I was behind and all of a sudden the scooter slipped on newly tarred road with more sand on it and I left standing while my boss collapsed.
Immediately I made attempt to raise the well built Engineer with the support of neighbors but he collapsed immediately causing some internal damages. However, he managed to travel home and following day we heard the news that he admitted to Ratnapura Hospital for damage to ribs. My boss went on leave for 1 Month and advised me, immediately after reporting back that you must learn first aid before everything.
The cause of the fall was that the engineer was not raised by us properly.

Damage to Lightning Arrester 132kV

2009-07-01T02:58:00.000-07:00

In early December 1969, around 11.30PM , a huge blast occurred which made almost all the people surrounding Balangoda Grid Substation,alive.
No body knew what it is until the following day. It was a busting of 132kV Lightning Arrester due to a lightning stroke in the 132kV system.These things happen very rarely and there was no communication at all for the people to know unless it passed by mouth to mouth.The ceramic Arrester damaged into pieces without causing any injury to in workmen who were on duty inside the control room, a few meters away.
It was replaced the following day by the heavy maintenance unit who traveled from distance location.

How to be a Liar to Internal Audits

2009-06-02T04:43:00.000-07:00

During my first three months of service, I went home in one weekend. My home town is Ratnapura but it takes 2hours to travel by bus.When I returned for work the Chief Clerk told me that Internal Audits have come and tell them that you were away on site inspection but travel led by bus.

So when I went down to my office there was two gentlemen questioning my staff and I ignored them and opened my office. In a while the two officers came in and introduced themselves as who they are. I was not bothered and attend to my usual work and a taller person started telling that they came for inspections which their duty and wanted some registers. I immediately responded and ask what the audits means ,if they are to check everything.

I heard the name of the audits in co-operatives in villages and they come to check accounts as such I inquired the use of registers where there are no accounts to check up. Then the big man explained what their duties and they visit every where for inspections.

He then asked me where I was in the morning as the time I reached was 10.00 AM. I said I went home last Saturday and this is thetime that I reached. Since there was no attendance register for Foreman as they were treated as field officers ,then the officer said OK that's fine and you managed to report for work at 10.00AM by travelling 30Miles and 2 miles of walking.

He then briefed me how I should maintain books and others to follow methodical systems.

The following day , as usual I reported for work at 7.00AM and to see that the so called audit officers waiting for me. The big man questioned why so early?. I said this is my usual time of reporting and by 7.45 everyday, I distribute my workmen for work and then attend to my other things. The officers observed that the drivers washed the vehicles and bathe before 7.30 AM and ready to load things .

They praised me for my arrangements and left my scene.

Before their departure ,the big officer explained that your Chief Clerk told me that you may be in the field but you did not try to become a liar by saying that I was in the field. That is good and keep it up the good work.

The big man was Mr.Bastian Pillai and the other officer was Mr.Vairamuttu.

contd

How to deal with opening of Electricity Schemes

2009-05-29T19:47:00.000-07:00

The opening of Wellandura scheme off Kahawatte

in 1969, after June, it was scheduled to inagurate the Electricity Scheme for Wellandura which came under Kahawatte Town(Local Body). The opening of the scheme had the function in the Wellandura Temple and the opening carried out by the Hon.C P De Silva, The Minister of Power,Irrigation and Land and the Leader of the House. The CEB team led by the Area Engineer, Divisional Manager-South,and some senior EFF who were given enough authority to handle any situation. There were gangs at each Isolater for guarding against some activities by groups. I had the oppoutuinity of being with the DMS,EE whom used the Anglia car where I seated in front.
Neither DMS nor EE could better Sinhala and interpret of speaches. I was asked to do the interpreters job to brief the speech of the Minister. The Minister started his speech and since he used to stammer ,it was not possible to understand his speech well. However, I managed to brief my bosses from what I gather. They were under the impression that the Minister and the Hamuduruwo, Ven.Attudawe Gunaratna may criticise the work of DGEU .

The ceremony ended up without ant power failure and I learned that when a Minister responsible for Power visits an Area , it is the duty of the Engineer to look after the power so that there are no black outs.

How do I obtained my Electrical Engineering Experience: How I attended First Power Interruption

2009-05-27T19:28:00.000-07:00

How do I obtained my Electrical Engineering Experience: How I attended First Power Interruption

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How I attended First Power Interruption

2009-05-27T19:13:00.000-07:00

When CEB plans for line maintenance usually a 33kV line interrupted at a grid Substation,those days. Usually on Sundays a line is interrupted during that time.There was no problem of feedback as the lines are open at one end by an Isolator, a switch mounted on towers or poles which operates from the ground by a long handle. An Isolater cannot open with the load on.

There was an Isolator for each 33kV line in between two area boundaries and it could not be reached without 2-3 hours traveling from a grid. So the interrupted line is dead for 20-30 miles(miles used during that time).The roads were not good and in a hill area reaching Isolator further delays due to its installation in a mountain where workmen to walk about 100-200 yards ,in a jungle or tea land.

During my first interruption, I had to travelled to a place called Durakkanda ,a village off 15miles from Balangoda along the Rassagala to open the Isloater there.Opening of this Isolater assisted the EF Ratnapura to close one of their Isolators to feed back up to Durakkanda as the line beyond Durakkanda was under EF ratnapura. After opening the isolater, I noticed my linesmen and Golaya went little further and brought a pot and some other things supposed to eat. The pot was full of Kitul Toddy and boiled Manioc with maldive fish sambol. I was given an opportuinity to sip and I did with my firm refusal. I sipped it and ate maniioc with sambol.

These were very tasty during our young days. We came back and started cleaning insulators of the 33kV line in addition to connection to a new substation. The insulators were full of fungus and glass appearance was totally covered with fungus. There was three gangs to work and working on an interruption on Sundays were compulsary.

Strike by DGEU Employees

2009-05-24T20:13:00.000-07:00

In 1969 , the strike organised by the unions of the then DGEU was very interesting to me. I did not anything about it as I was new to the organisation. It was in 1969 ,one afternoon at about 2.30 pm the power went off .I was in the grid-Balangoda at that time and staff were talking things in favour of strike.
When I got to know that the workmen too wanted to join the strike, I called all inmates to handover keys of substation control room and gates before they walk out. I had gusts to tell them as I was the only person who went against labour actions. The workmen left the substation and I waited inside until power supply restored around evening but with the dark. The workmen returned to their respective work places and I left for home.

Later,I came to know that the strike led by the Engineers of the DGEU with the collaboration of the other trade unions.
I could gather lot of information with respect to labour action by the unions only in the following evening because all the communications from and to were inoperative at that time and I did not know to whom I should contact etc.

It was understood that the labour action by the trade unions was successful and that they got some of the most important issues sorted out like.

Salary issue
Pension issue for those who completed 8 years in the DGEU
Medical Issues
To enjoy leave as in the Govt.Services.
etc etc

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