Professor E. O. E. Pereira Memorial Lecture

Prof. E.O.E. Pereira was the father of technical education in Sri Lanka. He was the founder dean of the college of engineering in then University of Ceylon and was the dean when I entered the University. The traditions of academic excellence he built as the dean for over twenty years enabled hundreds of us to excel in leading universities around the world as students, researchers and teachers in various fields. We are eternally grateful to him for his leadership and guidance that made us what we are today.

Professor E. O. E. Pereira Memorial Lecture is hosted by the Sri Lanka Institute of Engineers on his birthday, September 13th, every year. I was honored to deliver the 2010 Professor E.O.E. Pereira memorial lecture to a distinguished audience in Colombo. The topic of the lecture was “Process Engineering Research on Agro-Industrial Issues in Sri Lanka”. It was based on several research and development activities that I became involved in Sri Lanka upon my return from UCDavis.

Moving into New House

We moved to the new house on September 9^th. The astrologer priest of the village temple said it was an auspicious day. The next auspicious day was in three weeks time. Everyone thought it is best to take the early date. Our crew of masons, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and finishers worked day and night to complete the upper level and did a great and timely job. We also got the approval from the local authority just a day earlier.

The astrologer gave times to leave the old house, to enter the new house and to light the first fire. He also told us to enter the new house facing east, but the main door faces west! Lighting the fire was at 11:45 am. It was followed by a treat to all.

In the evening we had three priests from the village temple visit the house and chant ‘Pirith’ to bless the new house, occupants and workers who built the house. This ritual is also to prevent evil eye being cast on the skill of the workers! Families of all the workers attended the event and the proud workers showed the product of their labor to their spouses and children. We provided dinner for all. It was a very happy evening. What a relief!

It is three weeks since we moved in. We are delighted with almost everything with the house. The scenery from the balcony is beautiful. We can see Alagalla mountain, ten kilometers away all the time. On clear days we can see ‘Bible Rock’ about 40 kilometers away! The sunset with the crimson clouds over the mountains is majestic.