3.

RECOGNIZED TRAINING AND RESPONSIBLE EXPERIENCE

3.1

Recognized Training Prior to Graduation

3.1.1

Peoplised Transport service, Kandy North

Period

: 11/12/1995 to

04/04/1996

Position

: Undergraduate Trainee

Supervisor

: Eng. G.K Ananda Gamini

4 months

During my first training period as an undergraduate for In plant training I did

work at Kandy North, Peoplised Transport Service. There I had a chance to
work with a lot of high calibre mechanics within a very short period of time. I
gained a considerable knowledge about diesel Engines, Fuel injection system,
Cooling system, Lubrication system, repairing gear boxes and other relevant
things.
3.1.2 Buildmart Landa (Pvt) Ltd.
Period

: 23/03/1999 to

13/06/1999

Position

: Undergraduate Trainee

Supervisor

: Eng. Herath

2 2/3 months

During this period of training I worked at Oxford Garment Building site at

Kollupitiya and I was enable to exploit knowledge in relation to a number of
perspectives in the industry. This was my first exposure to a working
environment in a Civil Engineering field and I had much opportunity to get
involved in organising of field activities with site supervision.
Here I was able to follow the construction process in a sequential order under
the direct supervision of Senior Engineers. On the other hand I had a chance
to observe the interaction between the client, contractors and consultants at a
construction site. Cost of the project was about 25.0 Million rupees.

I was responsible for the following activities together with site supervision at
the above site.
Setting out work of Building
Carry out excavation work according to drawings
Concreting of basement
Labour handling
Preparation of bar schedules
Preparation of variations considering additional works for Engineers
approval

3.2

Recognized Training after Graduation

3.2.1

Department of Civil Engineering, The faculty of Engineering, University

of Peradeniya.
Period

: From 31/07/2000 to 10/11/2000

Position

: Instructor

Supervisor

: Dr. D.R.I.B. Werellagama

3 1/3 months

During the above period, I had to serve the university as an instructor. I

conducted practical classes for undergraduates in the soil and surveying
laboratories. I also conducted demonstration classes in advanced survey
technique for the final year students on G.P.S, Total Station EDM, and
Stereoscopy.
3.2.2

Kajima Kumagai Hazama Joint Venture.

Period

: From 12/11/2000 to 01/08/2001

Position

: Trainee Design Engineer

Supervisor

: Eng. I.M Ranjith (C Eng., MIE (SL))

8 2/3 months

I joined the Kajima Kumagai Hazama joint venture (I worked in the kumagai
Gumi Corporation) as a civil Engineer after my tenure at the university. In the
Kukule Ganga Hydropower Project Lot 2.1, was constructed by Kajima
Kumagai Hazama joint venture, who was the main contractor for Civil works
and Diversion facilities. Client of the project was Ceylon Electricity board.
Consulting Engineer was Nippon koei Co.,Ltd, Tokyo, Japan, ElectrowattEkono Ltd, Zurich, Switzerland and Lahmeyer International GMBH,
BadVilbel, Germany.
The main dam at Kukule is a concrete gravity type with sand traps.
Aim of the Project is to generate Hydro-electric power. It comprises of 110 m
long diversion weir, 90 m long sand traps, tunnel intake structures,
reclamation work at head pond areas, connection road between the weir site
and the power house, Control buildings and resettlement houses. Contract
amount was SLR 920 million and JYP 3075 million. Total Project duration
was 4 years.
At the beginning, I was assigned to planning and designing unit of the
KKH office where I was engaged with preparation of Bar schedules as well as
checking the same. KKH JV wanted to design and construct quarters for all
local staff and the responsibility of designing the quarters was assigned to me
in addition to other works. As such I had to allocate my time for design works
of the quarters.
At the design office, I was trained under Eng. I.M Ranjith. As a trainee
design engineer first I studied the drawings, design specifications and method
statements etc. I carried out independent analysis and designs were done as per

to British Standards (BS 8110 part-1~3). I carried out the checking of design
calculations and detail drawings
Initially I referred some specimen designs relevant to the multistoreyed buildings and studied basic principals in designing, Detailing and
standards. For design Bending moment diagrams, shear force diagrams were
developed through structural analysis methods. Minimum reinforcement
requirements, maximum spacing requirements, Deflections checks etc were
adopted as per the base BS 8110. I carried out all calculations manually and
was checked by some structural analysis programmes like Prokon.
I involved in Designing and detailing of slabs, beams, staircases
footings and I experienced in preparation of detailed structural drawings
according to the design office practice directly under the guidance of Design
Eng. I.M Ranjith.
3.2.3

Kajima Kumagai Hazama Joint Venture.

Period

: From 02/08/2001 to 12/10/2002

Position

: Trainee Site Engineer

Supervisor

: Eng. I.M Ranjith (C Eng., MIE (SL))

14 1/3 months

I gained satisfactory work experience in working with Senior

Engineers and an environment of Japanese standards. Dedication and work to
schedule or work ahead of the schedule in a systematic way, while keeping the
high quality is very essential in the Japanese system and I am proceed to be
worked under the above set-up.
I have held responsible for following works during the above period,

The setting out / surveying work of Japanese dormitory , Local Engineers

quarters, Drivers quarters, Site office, Engineers quarters, water tanks,

swimming pools, transformer room, temporary access bridges, pipe

culverts etc. Four survey helpers were provided to me. My duty was to
provide all survey setting out data that is required to carry out the
construction activities. A big challenge was there for me to fulfil the
requirement of six sub-contractors. Checking the setting out of all parts of
the work as given in the working drawings with independent calculations
were part of my responsibilities.

Estimation of the balance quantity of material, forecasting the future

material requirement or schedules. If adequate storage area is not available
to store the material, then I had to find out suitable new storage areas with
shelters. I was totally responsible for the quality quantity and availability
of the material at site in order to have an uninterrupted construction
activity as scheduled.

Preparing of daily, weekly and monthly machine & manpower list of all
sub contractors. In the daily records, Machine type, purpose, working
hours, and location of work were to be recorded. I had to correct the day
work records submitted by the sub contractors.

Checking Reinforcement against re-bar shop drawings and schedules was

also part of my responsibilities.

I had to check the formwork against the movements, levels and

alignments. During concreting, separate skilled workers were kept to
check the acrow jacks and formworks. Before placing concrete, I had to
check for the satisfactory workmanship availability vibrators and their
good working condition, availability of shelters and temporary roofs to
protect concrete from unexpected rains.

I was also responsible for taking the joint measurements with Engineers
staff and prepared measurement sheets to submit for approval. I was the
only responsible Engineer to calculate all the left bank work quantity
measurement sheets. After receiving the approval I prepared the monthly
interim invoice.

3.3

Responsible Experience

3.3.1

KAJIMA KUMAGAI HAZAMA JOINT VENTURE.

Period

: From 13/10/2002 to 01/10/2003

Position

: Site Engineer

Supervisor

: Eng. I.M Ranjith (C Eng., MIE (SL))

11 1/2 months

I attended the site meetings and had to report on the progress achieved.
During the site meetings, I discussed the matters which were scheduled to
carry out at the previous meetings. Our attention was drawn to the following
Items, which would affect the future progress.

Discussed tactics, against any claims, as additional payments were not

accepted by the client.

Assessment of past and future progress as against programme and

discussed any remedial action to be taken if necessary.

Specific proposals needed in the forthcoming months to improve the

progress.

Requests for scheduled materials and tools required as scheduled such

as timber, nails, plywood sheets, acrow jacks, etc. with the notification
of the dates required.

10

Balance work record and remedial actions to be taken to catch up and

matters to be discussed at the next meeting.

Shortcomings of the staff towards the future performance in relation to

the programme, and proposals for remedial actions to overcome those
shortcomings with the consent of the Project Manager.
Also I was responsible for monitoring the progress, quality control of

construction activities of this project. I prepared the required construction

programmes and maintained progress charts to achieve the targets using Micro
Soft Project 2000.
There were many difficulties faced by the contractor due to additional work
which had arisen from various changes made by the Architect and
requirements of the Client. I was very careful in keeping the correct
documents and details to cover the claims. I urged them to consider changes
very carefully as it directly affects the daily work programme and thereby the
period by of construction.
Since we achieved the target of both the Client and Engineer, They
were happy at the end of the project. They had met their requirement
satisfactorily in time, with given cost and the quality. Also the Project
Manager and the senior management appreciated my contribution to achieve
the target with the anticipated profits.
3.3.2

STATE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION COPORATION

Period

: 01/10/2003 to 30/03/2004

Position

: Project Engineer

Supervisor

: Eng. Milinda Wijerathne (C Eng., MIE (SL))

11

6 months

During the above period I worked on a two storied building project

with a floor area of 10,200 sq.ft and the project cost was 25 million rupees.
The client of the project was Sri Lanka Telecom. The name of the Engineer
was also Sri Lanka Telecom. I was responsible for overall site management
and the execution of the project matters concerned with the site. Further, I had
the responsibility of organising the work of few assistants in an office. I had
to think ahead and make arrangements to organise the work to achieve good
progress.
Slab formwork, reinforcement and concreting were under my control and
supervision. I had to check the quality of ready mix concrete by slump and
cube tests and to calculate the actual quantities of concrete from site
measurement, in order to arrange ready mix concrete from the batching plant
for various elements to be concreted such as slab, staircases, lift walls etc.
I did setting out of grid lines on upper floor slabs, staircases. Working at this
site enable me to gain experience in organising of overall site activities and to
understand the duties undertaken by each and every person involved in site
activities.
I was also responsible for preparing designs for temporary structures, planning
and programming of work, monitoring of work progress and purchasing.
Responsibilities and duties entrusted to me as follows

Studying architectural and structural drawings to clear the ambiguity.

Checking sub contractors claims and recommending for payment.

Maintaining the individual performance records of the subcontractors

and monitoring the work progress accordingly.

12

Studying architectural and structural drawings technical specifications

and BOQ. Any ambiguities and the changes in the drawings were
discussed with the consultants and sorted out.

Preparation of a revised BOQ to suit the changes required by the client.

Forwarding some proposals for materials and site services to the

consultants. I provided samples of materials to be provided and also
explained the details of the proposed services, for the Engineers
approval.

Completion of project on the target while maintaining the cost and

quality.

Checking levels, alignment of elements and positioning of openings in

slabs and beams as shown in the structural drawings using Wild T2
Theodolite and wild n3 precision level.

Checking the cover requirements and adequacy of the number of cover

blocks provided. Lap lengths were checked as per the drawings and
any congestion of reinforcement due to laps were replaced with Deha
couplers.
I inspected whether corrosion protective layers and bonding agents had

been properly applied to the reinforcement. Reinforcement was first sand

blasted and then applied with corrosion protective agents. Before placing
concrete I checked the cleanness of formwork to receive concrete.

13

3.3.3

CENTRAL ENGINEERING COUNSULTANCY BUREAU.

Period

: 01/04/2004 to 07/02/2005

10 months

Position

: Design Engineer

Supervisor

: Eng. G.H.L.Kumarasiri (C Eng., MIE (SL))

After the completion of the three year construction period successfully,

I joined the CECB design office. This unit provides Architectural and structural
designs, and details for all major projects undertaken by CECB. The unit
consists of 40 staff members including Architects, structural and building
services Engineers and draft men.
I worked with a team of Engineers on design works of Southern
Transport Development project under a consultancy contract by the CECB to
Contractor Kumagai Gumi Company. I was responsible for preparing shop
drawings and getting approval for all drainage structures other than bridges
located along the expressway section between Kurundugahahetekma and
Matara. I worked under Eng. G.H.L. Kumarasiri, who acted on the team leader
of the design team. Survey data, Chainages of structures and topographic
information had been networked in the design office of the Kumagai Gumi
office for easy and quick access for the design works. For such structure
information located from the network, such as location coordinates tentative
levels etc were re-surveyed and re-checked at the site. Also any adjustments
needed were done in consultation with the Engineer, Halcrow Group.
Subsequently detailed concrete out line drawings were prepared for the
structures and submitted for the Engineers approval. Once the concrete outline
drawing were approved by the Engineer, I prepared the detail structural design

14

drawings including reinforcement details and bar schedules for the structures. I
was responsible getting approval for the structural drawings as well. To date I
have completed about 40 such structures including Box culverts, pipe culverts
head walls and wing walls of culverts and transitions required for the drainage
structures. At present I continue to complete the design works of balanced
structures with the team of Engineers from CECB. As the designs of the
structures done by me being actually constructed at site, the experience I gained
at this present will enhance my design experience as well as my construction
experience.
3.3.4

MAGA ENGINEERING (PVT) LTD

Period

: 01/04/2004 to 07/02/2005

Position

: Project Engineer

Supervisor

: Eng. M.P. Balasuriya ( C Eng.,MIE (SL))

8 months

I was employed at Maga Engineering (Pvt) Ltd as a Project Engineer

for NW-09 in North Western Province during the period mentioned above.
That Contract involved a Rs.179 million worth rehabilitation work of 20 km of
provincial roads, under Road Sector Development Project Package funded by
Asian Development Bank.
There had been three roads awarded to Maga Eng. (Pvt) Ltd, namely
Badagamuwa - Wellawa(12 km), Kiriwaula - Meegoda (4 km) and Maspotha Thisnampola (4 km).
I was responsible for the following works.

Establishing the permanent and temporary bench marks ands setting out of
proposed centre line in the carriage way.

Training young technical officers on surveying.

Maintenance of the existing roads during construction.

15

Quality controlling of sub contractors works.

Preparing the monthly progress reports.

Preparing interim payment certificates (IPC).

Attending monthly progress meetings with Project Manager.

Maintaining records on machinery, labour, material and on physical progress,

work done quantities, weather charts etc.

Preparing and maintaining Inspection and Test Plans.

Preparation of check lists such as for Shoulder construction, Site clearance,

Roadway excavation, Embankment filling, Edge treatment and Concreting.

Maintenance of the AREs office.

Providing and maintaining safety measures.

.
3.3.5

CENTRAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY BUREAU

Period

: 04-10-2005 to to date

Duration : 14 months

Position

: Trainee Design Engineer / Consulting Engineer

Supervisor

: Eng. K.L.S Sahabandu

My main objective was to expand my knowledge on design and

construction. In this respect, I was fortunate enough to have a good opportunity to
join the Design Unit of the Engineering Procurement Construction division of the
CECB, where I trained under Eng. K. L. S. Sahabandu, head of the design unit.
Initially I studied the standard method of detailing, specifications, bills of
quantities, method statements etc. and was then engaged in design of structures. I
was involved in the following project as a trainee Structural Design Engineer.

Seven Storied Registrar General Department Building

Client

Ministry of Registrar General Department

Estimated Cost

Rs. 351.0 Million.

Total floor area

:-

3,200 m2

16

The above project was undertaken by the CECB as a turnkey project. The
reinforced concrete super structure rested on 32 numbers of cast-in-situ bored
piles. Structural designs were carried out in accordance with BS 8110. Preparation
of layouts and general arrangement drawings, Analysis, Design and Preparation of
drawings were carried out. The main structural components were Pile Caps
(single & double), Under Ground Water Sump, Over head Water Tank, Lift
wells(2 Nos.), BeamColumns grid frames, Roof and Floor Slabs and Staircases
(3 Nos.). During the course of work, I had an opportunity to communicate with
professionals in different disciplines such as architects, Service engineers,
Electrical and Mechanical engineers etc. One of my duties were to conduct site
meetings, site work inspections and to give instructions/ clarifications regarding
construction drawings.
Registrar General Building is the one of the largest building projects that
CECB undertook on a turnkey basis. I was responsible for the design and
participating in site visits as a consultant Engineer. There, I had an opportunity to
work under Eng. G. D. A. Piyatilaka who was the Acting General Manager in
Colombo region, CECB. I was also supposed to give necessary instructions on
quality control work and progress as mentioned above.
1. Checking of reinforcement arrangement according to the structural drawings.
2. Supervision of form works. It was necessary to study all engineering and
architectural drawings before the commencement of formworks. Ducts had to
be provided specially for electrical wiring, water supply and fire fighting.
Continuous coordination with personnel pertaining to other engineering
disciplines and architects was necessary.

17

3. Supervision of concreting work and quality controlling. Instructions were

given to carry out 3 day, 7 day and 28 day cube tests for each mix of pours
and to ensure that proper curing was maintained.

4.0 PROBLEMS ENCOUNTEDRED AND CONTRIBUTIONS MADE

Kukule Ganga Hydropower Project
[KAJIMA KUMAGAI HAZAMA JOINT VENTURE]

Site was very congested with the site office, stores, labour huts and working
areas. The problems arose were easily solved by managing the work with
efficient

labour handling, keeping the site clean and safe and maintaining

adequate stocks. It was observed that there was debris everywhere in the site
and removed formwork material was not placed properly. I drew the attention
of site staff of the situation and made arrangements to remove all debris daily
and to place formwork in an orderly manner after use.

After setting out was done it was observed that setting out points get
disappeared when work was being progressed. Due to this it was difficulty to
check it again. To overcome this, parallel lines 1 m distances away from centre
lines were set out as reference line.

During the excavation for manholes for waste water and sewer lines, large tree
roots and large rocks were observed. Engineer wanted to cut the tree roots and
blast the rocks. But I diverted the waste water and sewer line direction. Then I
managed to achieve the target without cutting tree roots and rock blasting.
Finally Engineer also agreed to my proposal. But we had to construct 2

18

additional man holes. Although it affected the BOQ quantities, Engineer was
made to agree through negotiations.

After removal, the slab formwork were scattered everywhere at the site, some
formwork damaged. I arranged to stack the ply-woods according to their sizes
and to transport them to other sites for reuse.

To avoid corrosion of reinforcement when stored in open area, I arranged to

construct a small hut to store them.

In brick work, irregularities were observed in some areas. Plaster had to be

applied to a thickness of about 40mm. It was also noticed that these areas
developed cracks showing signs of layer separation. On my instruction these
areas were chipped and re-plasted while introducing an expansion type wire
meshes at every 10 mm thickness and this seem to be a successful remedy.

Due to high water table at the CEB dormitory site, Lots of problems were
faced while excavating and concreting. The soil Engineers recommendation
was to place the raft foundation at 1 m depth on a firm soil base. On my
instructions 10 Nos dewatering pits were excavated around the foundation and
at the same time foundation excavation work carried out simultaneously with
dewatering. Some times small submersible pumps were used.

Telecom Building Project- kurunegala

[STATE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION COPORATION]

Since the building was targeted to complete within six months period, I had to
plan the work carefully. I did control and advised sub contractors to work
properly by way of allocating correct person to do the specified job within a
given time schedule. Further I recorded daily balance work remaining with
priority order. It helps me to arrange the daily work programme and update it.

19

I made arrangements to minimize the wastage of plywood sheets while laying

for slabs and beams. I sketched the plywood arrangement for the slab and
beam layout and handed over to the formwork gang. Until the concrete was
placed, formwork (Ply wood) exposed to the air and rain. I advised formwork
gang to apply form-oil normally made grease mix with diesel on exposure
surface. Further I arranged direct labourers to sort previously used ply wood
sheets and cut pieces according to their sizes and the usability. As a result
more than eighty percent of plywood sheets once used for formwork were able
to be reused. The amount of new ply wood sheets required for the next slab
formwork was very few resulting the reduction of the cost of slab formwork.
The direct labour wages used for sorting of used ply wood sheet pieces were
negligible when comparing with purchasing cost of plywood. This was
contributed to reduce the actual project cost.

Site located some distance away form the main road, and was in the Telecom
building premises. Telecom higher management did not allow entering site
Lorries, Tractors, Water bouzers through this premises. So I had to face severe
problems. Each and every material had to be carried by hands. Due to this
phenomenas, I was unable to carry on site work, according to schedules. I
communicated in writing with Deputy General Manager Telecom on this
matter and I was able to overcome the problem through his kind permission to
use the premises.

1st floor slab was concreted by using pump cars and 6 m 3, 8 m3 capacity
agitator trucks. Concreting was done during the night hours. Due to excessive
truck weight, most of the Telecom roads were damaged and Telecom
prohibited truck movements. Then I understood it will definitely affect the

20

progress of 2nd floor slab. So I forwarded a letter to DGM Telecom, explaining

our difficulties and got permission. Damage roads were re constructed after
completion of concreting work.

Due to non availability of batching plants in Kurunegala, the site staff was
faced with the problem of formation of cold joints during large pours of
concreting. To overcome this problem, I planned and implemented several
mixers at the same time with suitable pouring patterns to avoid formation of
cold joints. With my instructions they carried out concreting work
satisfactorily.

4.1

ROAD SECTOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECT,NW-09

MAGA ENGINEERING (PVT) LTD.

1.

We were all newcomers to the site and its location and while installing the
TBMS, we had to clear/cut some small tree branches in the Badagamuwa
reservation. One day a forest officer suddenly came to the site and requested that
we stop our work. This happened after 4 days of commencement of the works.
After that I had to meet the chief forest officer in Kurunegala and discuss what
happened in the site and obtain permission to continue our work.

2.

During the setting out work, one of the surveying personnel fell into the
obsolete pit and fractured his foot, at the same time completely damaging the
leveling instrument. The injured person was taken to hospital and the
incidente was communicated to the head office, requesting another instrument
for carrying out the work. The damaged instrument was sent to Boomtech
Pvt Ltd for repair.

3.

It was noticed that every morning and evening there was a time period (about
30 minutes) lost in adhering to the stores procedures in issuing and receiving

21

tools such as concrete pans, mamoties, wheelbarrows etc. All labourers were
idling during that time. To solve the problem I proposed that the storekeeper
should issue the required tools to the relevant team leader/Foreman with a
guarantee that they would be received at the completion of the work. I was
able to recover the time loss due to bad weather.
4.

I observed that the curing had not been properly carried out. I allocated a
separate worker with necessary instructions to look into curing work.

5.

There had been so many cases of damaging Hume pipes due to improper
handling. I looked into that and arranged a special tool along with a list of
instructions to lift the Hume pipe.

6.

Material wastage was a severe problem in the site. During the rainy days, part
of the sand piles were washed away. I gave instructions to cover the piles
during the rainy days. A more suitable location at the site premises was
selected to store materials.

7.

I pay keen attention to select a land to use as a yard. I proposed that it should
be very close to the site to reduce traveling time.

8.

I also thought of ways and means of reducing inconvenience to public due to

our construction work. I hired a farm tractor and installed a water pump and
shower pipe system in the tractor to wet the road to reduce dust.

4.2

CENTRAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY BUREAU

REGISTRAR GENERAL BUILDING PROJECT
1. There was a generator room and a transformer room in the Registrar General
building. I understood that several trenches were to be provided in the ground
floor for laying electrical cables. The Electricity Board should have given the

22

positions and the sizes of cable trenches. However at the design stage those
details were not available. So I sent letters requesting for them. It was obvious
that any delay would affect our construction program. Therefore I proposed two
duct positions to fulfill the requirements.
2. Since architect drawings were not finalized, I started my design calculation
using information only drawings. Later the architect changed his Information
only drawings significantly. I had to check my previous calculations.
3. At the initial stage I did not have an overall picture of the building and also no
proper coordination of the Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing engineers etc. So I
had to change my concrete outline drawings and reinforcement drawings.
4. Some details were missed. For instance, installing the water bar mark and the
construction joints locations. When the resident Engineer called and asked about
this, I consulted with my senior engineers to give an exact answer.
5. Sump concreting had not been done properly. Advice had to be given to them to
do remedial measures and to check for any leakages after repairs.
6. Some pile cap starters were not perpendicular to the surface of the pile cap. That
made it impossible to maintain verticality of the column. I had to advice them to
drill the pile cap to a 450 mm depth and embed the same diameter bars in the
same locations.
7. Curing was not properly done after concreting. I highlighted its importance and
sent a letter through my in- charge.

23