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Don Gunasena Athukorala | |
|---|---|
 Don Gunasena Athukorala in Sydney in August 2020 | |
| Born | February 25, 1924 Aruggoda, Panadura, Sri Lanka |
| Died | February 22, 2024 (aged 99) |
| Education | Bachelor of Science (Engineering) |
| Alma mater | University of London November 1950 |
| Occupation | Civil Engineer |
| Years active | 40+ |
| Organization(s) | Member, Institute of Civil Engineers, London, June 1955 Honorary Life Fellow, The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, January 1971.MICE and FIE (Sri Lanka) |
| Known for | Chairman, State Engineering Corporation, Sri Lanka (houseconmin.gov.lk/state-engineering-corporation-of-sri-lanka-sec) Director, Headworks, Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka (www.mahaweli.gov.lk) |
| Spouse | Irangani Seneviratne since August 1957 |
| Children | Aravinda, Ruvini and Prasanna |
Don Gunasena Athukorala (born February 25, 1924) was a chartered civil engineer and founding member of the State Engineering Corporation of Sri Lanka, where he later served as Deputy General Manager in 1970 and Chairman in 1977.[1][2] He was also Director, Headworks at the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka, large scale irrigation and hydro-electric development project. In recognition of his contribution to the civil engineering profession in Sri Lanka, Don Gunasena was made an Honorary Life Fellow of the Institute of Engineers, Sri Lanka in January 1971.[3]
Education[edit]
Don Gunasena received his early education from St. John’s College and Sri Sumangala College Panadura and his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of London in 1950. He obtained his professional qualifications and membership of the Institution of Civil Engineers, London (MICE) of the United Kingdom in 1955.[4] [2]
Career[edit]
Upon completion of his engineering degree in 1950, Don Gunasena joined Willment Brothers Limited as a Civil Engineer and in 1952 went on to work for Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick & Partners in London as a Design Engineer. He returned to Sri Lanka in 1954 and joined the Department of Industries as an Assistant Engineer.[2]
Don Gunasena was one of the five pioneering engineers who helped establish the State Engineering Corporation (SEC), which was approved by Parliament in January 1962. He worked as a Projects Engineer and was responsible for the design and construction of civil engineering works in large industrial, housing, and school projects for the Government of Sri Lanka including the Sri Lanka Planetarium, Ceylon Steel Corporation, Thulhiriaya textile mill. He rose to become Deputy General Manager reporting directly to A. N. S. Kulasinghe, founding Chairman and General Manager of the SEC.[5][6].During this period, the SEC grew to be the largest engineering concern in the country and became the employer of choice for engineers.
With the arrival of the Communist Party to run the Ministry of Housing and Construction and the subsequent politicization of the SEC, Don Gunasena departed to the UK, a time that marked the beginning of a gradual exodus of engineering talent from the SEC.[7] In the UK, he joined the multi-national engineering consultancy Sir William Halcrow & Partners that included a stint as a Field Civil Engineer at a natural gas plant for Esso Petroleum in Libya.
Don Gunasena returned to Sri Lanka and joined the Mahaweli Development Board (MDB)and was involved in the design and construction of the Polgolla Dam and Bowatenna Tunnel[8] In 1977, he returned to the State Engineering Corporation of Sri Lanka, this time as the Chairman. During his tenure, the Corporation embarked work on the construction of several public housing and large engineering works.[5]
With the enactment of the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka in 1979 to accelerate the diversion of the Mahaweli River for land irrigation and hydropower generation, Don Gunasena was appointed as Director Headworks.[9] The main function of the division was to manage the completed projects under the Mahaweli Development program , including Administration, Operation, and Maintenance work. He managed some of the most notable engineerings works in the country including the Polgolla, Randenigala, Victoria, Kotmale, and Rantembe Dams and related hydroelectric power stations. The Mahaweli Dams maintenance processes were developed under his leadership and this was included developing many operating manuals.[5]
He retired in the mid-1990s with a view towards migrating to Australia in 1999.[4] In his retired life he authored a book "Buddha's Principle of Relativity: Mind-Body Stress" explaining the Buddhist principle Pratītyasamutpāda. The book was published in 2018. [9]
Family and Personal Life[edit]
Don Gunasena was born to Don Hendrik Athukorala, Director, P.D. Pedoris Appuhamy and Company and Dona Catherina Athukorala on 25 May 1924. He married Irangani Seneviratne, daughter of Dr. Don Robert and Laura Seneviratne in August 1957. They have three children Aravinda Athukorala, Ruvini Athukorala Subramaniam, and Prasanna Athukorala, and six grandchildren, Arun, Pierrick, Radhini, Etienne, Tarini, and Otara. In January 1999, he migrated to Sydney, Australia with his wife Irangani.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ "Qualified Persons - Engineering" (PDF). IESL. Institute of Engineers Sri Lanka. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
- ^ a b c "Don Gunasena Athukorala – an icon of modern civil engineering". Sunday Observer. Lake house. 2 January 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ "IESL Honorary Life Fellow List". IESL. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Sumangalian Don Gunasena Athukorala Made Noteworthy Contributions to Modern Civil Engineering in Sri Lanka". Old Boys' Association | Sri Sumangala College | Panadura | Sri Lanka. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ a b c d "An old school engineer with impeccable character and integrity". Times Online - Daily Online Edition of The Sunday Times Sri Lanka. Wijaya news papers. 20 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
- ^ "An architect/Planner recollect". Sunday Times. 27 October 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2020 – via PressReader.
- ^ Gamini, Ranasinghe. "State Engineering Corporation turns 50" (PDF). The Island. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ^ Mahaweli Authority Sri Lanka. "About us - Historical Background". Mahaweli Authority Sri Lanka. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
- ^ a b "Don Gunasena Athukorala - An icon of Sri Lanka's civil engineering history". IESL. The Institute of Engineers Sri Lanka. Retrieved 5 December 2020.