17th September 2010
D.J. Wimalasurendra Day !!!
A postage stamp was issued some years ago in honor of the visionary whose contribution cannot be repaid in stamps and statues, speeches and articles; we can only honor his memory with these ceremonials.
In a way, the story of Laxapana is the story of Wimalasurendra.
Devapura Jayasena Wimalasurendra was born on 17th September 1874. Wimalasurendra had his early education at Ananda College, Colombo. Later he obtained Corporate membership of Electrical Engineers and Civil Engineers of United Kingdom. He joined the Public Works Department (PWD) as a head overseer; he later worked as a junior engineer.
His first job was to construct a camp for Boer prisoners of World War 1 at Diyatalawa. He was also assigned the task of prospecting for minerals that could be used in war efforts. In the process he not only identified mineral deposits but also potential and profitable resources such as water and forests.
In 1913, Wimalasurendra gave his thoughts in the construction of a small hydro power station at black pool, between Nanuoya & nuwaraeliya, to supply electricity to the nuwaraeliya town. In 1918, he submitted a project report title “ Economics of hydro power utilization in Ceylon” to the engineering association to make his dream come true.
He estimated that the water potential, combine with Maskelioya & Keselgamu Oya, could be diverted to produce electricity to light 100,000 lamps. Hence the name “ laksha- pahana” easily read” laxapana”. The idea was to fed power to national grid.
He argued the case for the development of hydro potential of the country. He estimated that 114.5 Mw could be developed from Kehelgamuwa oya. The engineering fraternity, who were essentially Englishmen at that time were septic of the whole project. Besides they wondered what the country would do with 114.5 Mw of power? Wimalasurendra countered them and pointed out the need for cheap power for setting up heavy industries for the development of the country. This included the electrification a section of the railway.
Finally, in 1923, the colonial government accepted the proposal for constructing a hydro-electric project and the PWD were entrusted with the work. Wimalasurendra was side tracked. Frustrated Wimalasurendra was bitter about the treatment meted out to him and went on long leave to England. He returned to the island only at the request of the Colonial Secretary. In 1926, he was appointed the Chief Engineer of the PWD.
Once he became the chief engineer, PWD, his 1st action was to separate the electrical section of the PWD. The Colombo electric scheme (Established in 1918) was taken over by government to supply power to the Colombo city & the Tramways run by Bous Teads Ltd. With the establishment of department of government electrical under takings ( DGEU) in 1927, a thermal power station was opened in pettah, in 1929, known as stanley power house.
Wimalasurendra was appointed as the chief engineer & deputy director of DGEU. He retired from service in 1929 at the age of 55 years. Entering politics after retirement, he was elected to the rathnapura seat in the state council in 1931 & remained a member of the council for 4 & half years. Because of his engineering background he was appointed to the executive committee of works & communication where he contributed immensely to the development of the country.
In 1933 he proposed the setting up of a "Central Electricity Authority". In 1935, the State Council passed the "Electricity Board Establishment Ordinance No. 38 of 1935. Alas Wimalasurendra's happiness was short lived as the Board was dissolved in 1937 and DGEU was re-established.
He argued his case for the resumption of work of hydro scheme left uncompleted by the british administration & got them reactivated after the war. Accordingly, the laxapana hydro power scheme, the construction of which started in 1924 was thus resumed in 1938 & done to the finish.
When died on August 10, 1953 he was at least happy that his dream become a reality. In regard to progress made in the utilization of hydro power, credit must go to wimalasurendra, who pioneered achieve the objective.
He got side tracked when the engineering association of Ceylon ignored his proposal for a hydro project.
If Wimalasurendra got the support from his superiors in the British administration, he would done much more than what he achieved.
The “ Wimala surendra power house” at laxapana stands as a monument to the great contribution made by this national hero. The only way we could respect him is to ensure that cheap electricity is made available to meet the needs of the country, on a continuous basis.
"Although it was not my fortune to execute the scheme I have originated, I am happy that I lived to see it brought to a (completion) fruition by my countrymen, and that I should have, in the evening of my life, able to see in reality the dawn which I saw in the mind's eye over half a century ago. Now, if I leave this world, I leave fulfilled." - late D.J. Wimalasurendra in 1950, at the ripe age of 75, when he visited the Hydro Electric Scheme stage 1 work
