DIMO provides drinking water to Athugala Samadhi Temple
Two years ago, at a business function held in Kurunegala Ranjith
Pandithage was approached by the Buduruwa Committee of the Athugala
Samadhi Temple to seek assistance to get water to the top of the
Athugala rock. The committee informed him that they had approached many
organizations for help, but so far it had been futile. For many years it
was only a dream for them.
Athugala Samadhi Statue |
Ranjith Pandithage receiving a plaque from the Chief Prelate of
the Temple |
DIMO came forward to assist the Buduruwa Committee to meet their long
felt need. A team of engineers led by Chandima Samarasinghe, Head of
Fluid Management Division - DIMO, visited the location on several
occasions and finalized the technical requirements. These included
height calculations, flow rate calculations, pressure requirements, pump
capacities, sump capacity and safety requirements.
Based on the preliminary studies done by the DIMO Engineers, Buduruwa
Committee got a detailed technical design and a BOQ done. This was
further enhanced with the inputs put forth by experts from DIMO and the
consultants. Thereafter, the project cost was approved by MrRanjith
Pandithage.
It took 18 months to get approval from several relevant authorities -
Kurunegala Municipal Council, National Water Supply and Drainage Board,
Electricity Board, Central Environmental Authority etc. due to the
location and the complexity of the project. The civil work was
outsourced while the mechanical and engineering part of the project,
which included supply and installation of the pumps were done by
Samarasinghe and his team.
They also carried out the power settings, testing and commissioning
of the pumps. It was a challenge for the DIMO engineers and they
completed it successfully.
Two KSB tube well pumps and controls were used for the project, which
also included a control panel room. The solution provided is a fully
automated state-of-the-art fluid management system from KSB and DIMO.
Executive committee of the Buduruwa Committee and Mrs. Ranjith
Pandithage, and Mrs Vijitha Bandara, Chandima Samarasinghe and Anura
Wijesinghe took part in the religious ceremonies which were held to mark
the first draw of water from the project.
Anura Wijesinghe, Branch Manager, DIMO Kurunegala, played an
important role in coordinating the activities with the DIMO Head office
and Buduruwa Committee.
DIMO is proud to assist with providing drinking water to such a
monumental place that is home to the Athugala Samadhi Pilimaya. DIMO is
pleased to have contributed to the development of such an iconic
location at Kurunegala District. |