Great engineer and leader who made lasting contributions and moulded many of us

Douglas Ladduwahetty, a charismatic member of the Sri Lankan engineering fraternity, took leave of us a few days ago. He led a full life, dedicated to the engineering profession for more than five decades. His participation in the development of irrigation systems in the country made drastic improvements to the lives of many thousands of peasant families in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka certainly has lost a great son of the country who made an enormous contribution to the irrigation sector, in particular, the Mahaweli Development Programme (MDP).

In 1977, when a new government was elected to power, the country was facing significant issues including 20% unemployment, severe shortage of housing, lack of agriculture facilities and a high demand for electricity to name a few. The new Prime Minister J.R. Jayewardene had studied the ongoing MDP which was scheduled to be completed in 30 years. The PM wanted to expedite the progress of this massive project, as a means to provide much needed redress to the people.

JRJ sent a message for Mr Ladduwahetty, with whom he had had contacts before, and sought his opinion on how soon the MDP could be completed. Mr Ladduwahetty, it is said, had simply replied that it could be even done in six years provided necessary funds are made available! This had spurred the PM to summon a special Cabinet meeting with all the irrigation sector engineers and technocrats and take a daring decision to accelerate the Mahaweli Project as the most prestigious programme of his government.

This changed the entire landscape of the country. And the rest is history!

The Mahaweli Authority was formed to implement the MDP and CECB was assigned with large-dams construction works. Mr. Ladduwahetty was made Chairman of the Mahaweli Development Board (MDB) to implement the downstream development works in Systems H, C and B.

I was privileged to begin my career in engineering under him. It commenced in 1976 in the jungles of the North Central province where I had my first posting as Project Engineer with MDB in Kalawewa where Mr. Ladduwahetty was the Resident Project Manager. As young graduates, we were inspired by his leadership.

He had his own methodology in managing people and work. He never wanted to get trapped in the prevailing highly bureaucratic rules and regulations and wanted to expedite progress of work at sites.

In those days the Malaria epidemic was rampant and this region was infested with elephants. We were accommodated in temporary housing and the hard water in the area available for drinking and bathing was not something we were used to. With such meagre facilities, many engineers and support staff left to join other departments and corporations. But Mr. Ladduwahetty who had vast experience in working in rural areas on projects such as Gal Oya and Walawe before that, gathered us around and encouraged us to remain and develop the areas taking the task as a challenge. He shared his many years of experience working in such conditions. To encourage us, he had frequent meetings with all officers and advised us of the importance of dedicating our time to develop the rural sector and in the process help the poor farmers who were struggling to survive.

Douglas Ladduwahetty held many critically important positions in the public service, where his knowledge, energy and enthusiasm assisted in policy making and implementation that made a difference to many in our society.

After his Mahaweli assignment he worked as a Consultant Engineer, and many sought his advice on construction and management aspects. Later, he was appointed Chairman of the Airport and Aviation Services Ltd where he served for five years and made important improvements to the Bandaranaike International Airport and its security.

Even though Mr Ladduwahetty lived in a busy and even tumultuous environment, he always found time to read books on various subjects. He was a living example of Francis Bacon’s statement that ‘Reading maketh a full man’. He acquired vast knowledge on various subjects and was filled with new information to inspire others with innovative and progressive ideas.

The eldest in a family of five, he hailed from Galle where he schooled at Richmond College. He was a great family man. He was very devoted to his wife Sita Lakshmi who stood by him like a rock for nearly 60 years and predeceased him. His four children, Ravi, Indira, Chandrika and Senaka have lost their loving father.

To us, he was a great engineer and leader who made lasting contributions and moulded the life of many engineers who were privileged to work with him.

May he attain Supreme Bliss of Nibbana!

D. Sarath Gunatillake