A.N.S. Kulasinghe - an engineering genius

COLOMBO: Vidyajothi Dr. A.N.S. Kulasinghe, the highly respected and internationally famed civil engineer died at the age of 87 on Tuesday after a brief illness.

He will be laid to rest at the General cemetery, Borella on February 18 at 4.00 pm. Joining as an Assistant Engineer at the Colombo Port Commission in 1944, he climbed up the ladder to be its Chief Engineer and then became Port Commissioner. He was also the first Chairman of the Sri Lanka Engineering Corporation. He also served as chairman of the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau. He came out with an innovative idea to give a durable solution to the perennial problem faced by the building construction industry by introducing `pre-cast concrete' in 1948.

In 1955, he introduced the aptly known `Kulasinghe CPC system' which was an outstanding contribution not only to the Sri Lanka building construction industry but also to the world. India recognised him with an award that acclaimed his pioneering work. He received patent rights for his invention in 1965. He was also the first to have built fishing boat in ferric-cement.

He was the genius behind the Pollgolla Dam, the Kalutara Bodhiya, the Mahaweli Maha Seya and numerous other works. These will remain living monuments to his name for generations to come.

****

A practical engineer - Urban Development Minister

COLOMBO: Dr. A.N.S. Kulasinghe was a practical engineer, who spent more of his time in the field than in air-conditioned offices," this was the message issued by Minister of Urban Development and Water Supply and the Leader of the Eksath Peramuna Dinesh Gunawardena on the demise of Vidyajothi Dr. A.N.S. Kulasinghe.

The message of Minister Gunawardena is as follows:

Dr. A.N.S. Kulasinghe, was the proud son of our soil obtained his degree qualification and his Doctorates from local and foreign universities and was awarded honorary membership by many international engineering institutions, including those in the United Kingdom and India.

He was the creator of the Concrete Revolution, which opened a new dimension in the construction industry, through the introduction of the Pre-fabricated concrete method.

He was instrumental in using rubber, ash, choir dust and paddy husk as supplements in making concrete posts for the Construction of Houses, Buildings and Bridges as an alternative to the traditional concrete, based on cement, metal and sand.

Dr. Kulasinhe, was a practical engineer, who spent more of his time in the field than in air-conditioned offices. His career, starting from the hydro electricity field spread into other areas, making vast contributions to number of institutions such as the Ports Authority, State Engineering Corporation, State Hardware Corporation and the Steel Corporation.

****

One of the greatest civil engineers in the world - JVP

COLOMBO: The JVP in a condolence message issued on the death of Dr. A.N.S. Kulasinghe said Kulasinghe was one of the greatest Civil Engineers in the World who earned fame for Sri Lanka by introducing the pre fabricated concrete technology which revolutionised the Civil Engineering sector in his world.

The message issued under the hand of JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe said Dr. Kulasinghe who started his career as an Assistant Engineer at the Colombo Port later rose up to be its Deputy Chief Engineer and Port Commissioner. The road way built by him in the port complex then utilising the pre-fabricated concrete technology has stood the test of time without needing any repairs to date proving the greatness of his technological skills.

He was the pioneer in using pre-fabricated concrete to build railway sleepers, massive towers and bridges in the country.

The Kalutara Bodhi Cetiya and Kotmale Maha Seya are edifices which testified his creative genius. The Polgolla Bund, State Engineering Corporation head office and the Planetarium were also designed by him.

He has also rendered great service to the country as Chairman, State Engineering Corporation, Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau and the Sri Lanka Standards Bureau and founder of the National Engineering Research and Development Board.

He has set a great example by rendering selfless service to the country over half century when many skilled personnel in the trained human resources sector sought greener pastures abroad.

Dr. Kulasinghe's death is an irreparable loss to the country and the world at large. The JVP which is deeply shocked over his death wished to salute and pay tribute to him.