The Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UOMPDP) was inaugurated on April 24, with the ceremony presided over by the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Ebrahim Raisi, and President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
This project marks a milestone as the largest multi-purpose development scheme since the Mahaweli Multi-Purpose Development Project. It aims to enhance the national grid with an additional 120 megawatts of hydroelectric power. Notably, two generators, each producing 60 megawatts, have been dedicated to two women – Dasuni and Chulochana – who made notable contributions to the project. This is the first time that women workers have been recognised in this manner in any development project undertaken in Sri Lanka.
Dasuni Sachindra Lewis was born in 1985 to D.W. Lewis, a businessman residing in Battaramulla, Jayawadanagama, and Madhavi Lewis. As the youngest girl in the family, she had two elder brothers. Dasuni Sachindra attended Musaeus College, Colombo, where she pursued her studies up to Advanced Level. Following this, she began pursuing a Business Management degree while employed at a private bank in Rajagiriya. In 2010, Dasuni wed Aruna Kasthuriarachchi. Following their dream to own their very own business, the duo opened an eatery in Ella, Karandagolla.
Dasuni Sachindra Lewis
R. D. Chulochana Sanjeevani Gunasekera
As the Uma Oya project was already underway by this time (it had begun in 2008), Iranian, Sri Lankan and other foreign engineers and officials responsible for the project frequented their eatery to procure food and beverages. One day, Ashoka, a Sri Lankan engineer, observed how effortlessly Dasuni conversed in English with the foreigners visiting the eatery. He recognised that leveraging her English proficiency could be a significant asset for the Uma Oya project.
“He inquired as to where I was from and we engaged in a short conversation. During this discussion he asked if I would like to work on the project,” Dasuni recalled.
Austrian
However, the engineer had to first convince Dasuni’s husband who was against her working at a such a facility. She said the engineer later brought along the General Manager of the project, an Austrian called Wolfgang to discuss the matter with her husband.
“In 2016 I was called for an interview. My husband accompanied me as well. They explained to us my work scope and about the project. I was invited to begin work the very next day,” she said.
According to Dasuni, she was tasked with the financial and administrative duties of the project. According to her the group involved in the project were highly professional and treated women with due respect.
“In the six years I have worked on this project, I have taken leave only for six or seven days. I have never seen the bureaucracy that we normally experience in our country at the Uma Oya project. They treat all employees as partners, regardless of one’s rank. Whether you are the Chief Engineer or the cleaner, they considered all of them as professionals in the relevant work,” she said.
The two turbines – Dasuni and Chulochana
According to Dasuni, one day, the project General Manager Wolfgang disclosed plans to name the two turbines after two Sri Lankan women who had worked at the site. “He said that one proposed name is of a female (Chulochana) who worked on the project and her permission was necessary for the purpose. He then said it has been proposed to name the other turbine after me,” she recounted.
Initially, Dasuni said she thought it was all a joke, but a few days later, she was presented with a photograph showing one of the turbines bearing her name. “I expressed gratitude for the honour, but given their penchant for joking, I still had doubts. It was only during the opening ceremony that I realised it was indeed true,” she remarked.
Husband
“I am truly honoured and happy to have my name as part of a development project in Sri Lanka,” she said with deep gratitude to the entire team as well as her husband who allowed her to work at the project.
R.D. Chulochana Sanjeewani Gunasekara of Randeniya had served as Dasuni’s assistant at the time. Born in 1997 to R.D Gunasekara and Sunethra Damayanthi, she studied at the Kumaradasa Central College in Wellawaya. In 2016 she was recruited as Dasuni’s assistant. “It was my first job. The support I received from Dasuni akka was invaluable. We also collaborated closely with insiders and often extended our work beyond the confines of the office. Our teamwork was exemplary, fostering a positive atmosphere within the workplace. Today, receiving such recognition is a testament to our dedication and hard work,” she said.
She was dismayed that most people called her Sulochana, which is a far more common name than Chulochana, which is indeed rare. Her ID and the turbine bear her actual name. Some people had also spread a story that both of them had worked at the project office as “tea girls” whereas they were engaged in professional jobs.
Unfortunately, both of them are no longer working for the project and could not be present for the opening ceremony. They however watched the ceremony on TV later and found that the two turbines had indeed been named after them as promised by the foreign project heads and engineers. They still remain good friends and keep in touch. Their lasting friendship and professional contribution to the project has now been immortalised.
