B. D. Rampala
Bamunusinghearachchige Don Rampala MBE (14 November 1910 – 20 June 1994), (popularly known as B. D. Rampala) was a chief mechanical engineer and later general manager of Sri Lanka Railways. He was the first native Sri Lankan to hold the post of chief mechanical engineer. In 1956, the Institution of Locomotive Engineers in London recognised Rampala as the finest diesel engineer in Asia at the time.[2]
B.D Rampala | |
|---|---|
As the General Manager of CGR. | |
| Born | 14 November 1910[1] |
| Died | 20 June 1994 (aged 83) |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Education | Kottawa Ananda Maha Vidyalaya (then Kottawa Buddhist Mix School), Nalanda College, Colombo Ananda College, Colombo, University of Ceylon |
| Occupation | Engineer[1] |
| Employer | Sri Lanka Railways[1] |
| Known for | The first Ceylonese Chief Mechanical Engineer and general manager of Sri Lanka Railways |
Education and training Edit
Rampala was born on 14 November 1910 in Pannipitiya Rukmale. He received his education at Kottawa Ananda Maha Vidyalaya (then Kottawa Buddhist Mix School) Nalanda College Colombo & Ananda College Colombo.[3]
After completing his engineering apprenticeship in 1934 at Colombo University College, he joined Ratmalana Railway Mechanical Engineering Department of the then Ceylon Government Railway (present Sri Lanka Railways).[3]
Chief mechanical engineer Edit
In 1949 he was appointed as chief mechanical engineer of the Railways, the first Sri Lankan man at that post.[2] During his time at this post, Rampala noticed many major railways around the world were upgrading from steam locomotives to diesel. He made his proposal to dieselise the Sri Lanka Railways, and in 1953, the first batch of diesel locomotives arrived from Brush Bagnall of the United Kingdom. When the locomotives started faulting, Rampala made modifications to them. When inspected by the British builders, his modifications were approved and not challenged against their original design. He submitted a paper on his observations to the Institution of Locomotive Engineers in London,[4] which gave him full praise.[2]
General manager Edit
Rampala was, in 1955, appointed as the general manager of the Sri Lanka Railways.[2][5]
Rampala sought to upgrade the railways. In the mid-1950s, he launched express trains to shorten journey times to major destinations. Named trains, like the Yal Devi and the Udarata Menike, were launched under his leadership. When he launched the Colombo-Matara Ruhunu Kumari train service, in October 1955, it was Rampala himself who drove the train from Colombo to Matara.[1]
Until, the 1950s, Sri Lanka Railways operated entirely with a lock and block signalling system. Rampala introduced electronic colour signalling for the busiest portions of the railways in 1959. Train movements could then be controlled by a Centralized Traffic Control panel at Maradana, greatly improving safety.[2]
Recognition Edit
In 1956, the Institution of Locomotive Engineers in London recognised Rampala as the Best Diesel Engineer in Asia.[2][3]
Death and legacy Edit
He died on 20 June 1994 at the age of 84.[1]
In addition to improving safety on the Sri Lanka Railways, Rampala has been remembered for his mark on culture. He created the Yal Devi train to connect Colombo, the capital, and Jaffna. In doing so, he created a cultural icon that transcended any divides between north and south.[6]
References Edit
- ^ a b c d e B D Rampala The Engineer, entrepreneur and the legend
- ^ a b c d e f "The Island". Rampala regime in the local Railway History. 19 July 2010.
- ^ a b c Tribute to B. D. Rampala, who modernized the Ceylon Railway
- ^ Transactions/Journal Institution of Locomotive Engineers
- ^ The Railways of Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
- ^ "The Island". Remembering Rampala of the Railways. 28 July 2010.
Further reading Edit
- Bamunuarachchige Don Rampala; L. Sydney De Silva; Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (1991). History of the Sri Lanka Government Railway: B.D. Rampala felicitation volume. Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka. ISBN 978-955-9119-00-5.
- The railway gazette. January 1962.
- Ceylon. Railway Dept (1960). Administration report of the General Manager, Ceylon Government Railway. Govt. Publications Bureau.
- Railway gazette international. Reed Business Pub. 1957.
- Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (1990). Transactions / Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka. The Institution.
- Great Britain and the East. Great Britain and the East, Ltd. 1950.
- The electrical review. Electrical Review, Ltd. 1956.
- Mining journal: A record of mining and metallurgical progress. Fisher, Knight & co., ltd. 1958.
- Sanmugam Arumugam; Bhadra Kamaladasa; D. L. O. Mendis; Sri Lanka Water Heritage, Sri Lanka. Ministry of Irrigation and Water Management (2003). Water for people and nature: Sanmugam Arumugam commemoration volume : a selection of technical papers honouring his original contributions ... Sri Lanka Water Heritage. ISBN 978-955-8907-00-9.
- Diesel railway traction. Railway Gazette. 1953.
- Railway directory and year book. 1975.
- The Electrical journal. D. B. Adams. 1950.
- Modern transport. 1964.
- Institute of Transport (London, England) (1972). Journal.
- By Amara Hewamadduma . Rivira News Paper. 28 February 2010. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2010.