[Book Review]

Air, Maritime and Rail Transportation in Sri Lanka

The Centenary Commemoration Publication (1906-2006) on Air, Maritime and Rail Transportation in Sri Lanka, published by the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, is very timely at a time when the general focus is on Globalisation.

In terms of economic development of any country, transport plays a central and a dominant role. Air and Maritime Transportation, together with the inland Rail Transportation would promote interaction within the country but also promotes imports and exports.

The development of a well managed and efficient transport system in these sectors could promote the tourism sector thus resulting in social and cultural interaction among the people within Sri Lanka and also with the outside world.

The six chapters on Air Transport in this book introduce the national carrier and very amply describe the evolution of the aircraft through its technology development, cockpit instrumentation and automation.

The publication also outlines the changes in the national carrier named as “Ceylon Airways” in 1947, then as “Air Ceylon” in 1962, as “Air Lanka” in 1979 and given its current name as “Sri Lankan Airlines” in 1999.

In each period, the evolution of the aircraft in terms of time and distances travelled, pay load and comfort is described.

In providing these facilities the book illustrates the technology development in terms of high strength / weight ratio, resistance to fatigue, ability to maintain integrity under varying conditions and high resistance to corrosion. The various criteria and parameters involved in the design are well outlined.

The cockpit instrumentation which forms the essential steering component of the aircraft is well illustrated by indicating the complexity of the system, in terms of cockpit configuration, instrumentation and communication.

With the advent of software applications, automation during long time durations has made automation indispensable and this aspect is well explained in the book.

The coordination of cockpit instrumentation, automation and ground control has been made possible with the evolution of air navigation, together with surveillance systems which is clearly described in the publication.

Finally, this mode of transport is concluded by a historical description of the construction of various airports starting from the Ratmalana Airport which was dawned during the modern era of Civil Aviation in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and inaugurated in 1934.

Thereafter the development of a series airports in Anuradhapura, Weerawila and finally in Katunayake which has gone through various stages of development and now named as the Bandaranaike International Airport is highlighted.

Aviation Security which is the most important aspect of air transportation is well focused in the book together with a record of notable aircraft accidents and incidents. A useful history of the Air Transportation is appended for record purposes.

Maritime Transportation which is the other mode of Transportation that links Sri Lanka with other parts of the world, has a long history since Sri Lanka has been a centre for international trade for centuries and this is clearly elucidated in the book with the development of this mode.

The book outlines the development of harbours and quays in this country from the year 1878 up to date. The book contains a separate chapter on the development of the Port of Colombo, from the year 1874, and this includes the development of ship building and repair activities, proactive marketing aspects and the challenges faced with the engineering aspects.

The development of the other two main ports namely the Port of Galle and the Port of Trincomalee and the development of the Port facilities in Hamabantota are well explained in the following chapters. A chapter on the maritime transportation in perspective gives a vision for the future.

The section on Rail Transportation in Sri Lanka commences by giving a brief history of the rail system from 1860s. The railway lines along the coast, to the hill country, to the North and the East, to Puttalam, to Trincomalee, to Batticaloa, to Talaimannar and the Kelani valley line are well marked and clearly described.

There is also a section on proposed railway lines in the book. The Engineering aspects in rail transportation is well defined in the book indicating the track construction and maintenance specially in the inclines, tunnels and station buildings and layouts as far as Civil Engineering is concerned.

In Mechanical Engineering applications on motive power, coaching and freight stock, together with the need of workshops for maintenance and repair work is justified. The applications of electrical, electronics and communication engineering for signalling and for telecommunication has been outlined and recorded.

The current state of the Sri Lanka Railway has been presented along with the devastating effects due to the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004. Records of the appointments of the General Mangers of Railway over the period of time and major achievements by Railway personnel are invaluable.

Finally, let me congratulate the editor of the publication Eng. Priyal de Silva for an excellent piece of work done in coordinating with the authors and presenting the book in a very relevant and informative style.

Eng de Silva, a former student of mine at the University of Moratuwa, has displayed his academic and professional expertise in not only in Civil Engineering, but by following his late father’s footsteps by being the General Manager of Railways, President of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, Chairman, of the Sri Lanka Section of the Chartered Institute of Transport, UK and now has demonstrated in this publication as a competent editor in bringing out this volume on Air, Maritime and Rail Transportation in Sri Lanka.

- Vidya Jyothi Emeritus Professor (Eng) Dayantha Wijeyesekera

Past President of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka

Past Chairman, Sri Lanka Section of the Chartered Institute of Transport U K

Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Moratuwa and the Open University of Sri Lanka. The book will be launched at Taj Samudra, 5 p.m. today.