We were wondered visiting Senanayake Samudra in Inginiyagala last week. The dam was constructed connecting two mountains. Only the local engineers were engaged to the construction work. The reservoir was built in 1950’s. Here we can not see the margins of the reservoir. It just like a sea! You can visit the reservoir when visiting Uva Wellassa.
How wonder the Senanayake Samudra in Sri Lanka is!
December 31, 2007 by technovillage
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My father worked for Morrison Knudsen and built the earth filled dam across the Gal Oya river. I was thirteen years old and lived at the man camp for eighteen months with my father and other American construction workers. I will be seventy years old this year and I often think of the many enjoyable times and friends that were part of my life in Inginiyagala and Uhana. Uhana was a borrow pit area for top soil used in the construction of the dam.
I have too many stories to tell about in this message so I would just say I hope that not too much has changed over the years. It was truly a wonderful time then. Thank you, Ron Utley
Mr.Ron,
We are very happy to read your comment.
We invite you to visit our village when possible.
Bye!
Ron -
Thank you so much for sharing your memories. I’m the 60 year old son of 93 y.o. Jack who also worked as your father did for Morrision Knudsen construction company previously headquartered here in Boise, Idaho. Jack worked in Ceylon on the Gal Oya project back in 1949 – 1950. He recalls meeting up with the folks from the family camp at the evening movie showings under a big tented area. Perhaps you were there at that time. Jack also mentioned the older trains used there were similar to ones used during the Panama Canal construction. Jack remembers when the Gal Oya dam area under construction was flooded causing them to have to start all over again with the removal of back down to bedrock. Apparently when the monsoon rains came it raised the river some 35 ft over night, causing the trees to become full of snakes and monkeys escaping the floods. Jack worked in Ceylon under agreement that when the dam got topped out that the employer,MK’s,would pay for his return flight back to Idaho to re-join his wife and three young children. Jack worked 12 hours every day for 7 months without a day off. His work shift started at 6 p.m. worked all night untill 6 a.m. the next morning. The local people working on that project would be paid a sum of .20 US cents per day plus some food and camping allowances for the lowest skilled labors. Skilled native workers were paid $1 US dollar per day.
My father Jack brought back many momentos from his work stay in Ceylon. All during my childhood I was fascinated by his stories and momentos. During my post college days I traveled to India and Ceylon overland from England on the infamous “hippy trail” and experience these fascinating contries and people as they were back in 1975.
We would like to hear more of your and others memories stories and experiences associated with the Gal Oya region.
Mr. Utley,
My, what a pleasant surprise! Your father, Harlan, worked with my father Roy Frazier on this job. I met your dad years ago in Port Arthur, and I enjoyed the day as he and dad talked of old times. I have quite a few pictures taken of the jobsite and the surrounding country. You no doubt have many wonderful stories of floods, snakes, elephants, and people I would love to hear.
One of the most memorable things about the visit with your dad was that he had the opportunity to return to the project years after its completion. His opinion was that it had helped transform the surrounding region into a lush, productive, garden like farming area. He remarked that of the many jobs he had been a part of, the Gal Oya project, and its positive effect on the area, was by far the one he was proudest of.
I hope this message and my e-mail address is forwarded to you. My e-mail is wandafrazr@aol.com
Best regards, Thomas.
For more information on Senanayaka Samudra, follow this link
http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2008/1/23921_space.html
I was checking back to see if anyone had responded to the posts by Jack, Ron, and myself. I also commend your efforts and work bringing computer technology to the children in your area. Best regards- Thomas
Thomas Frazier and Ron Utley,
What a surprise for me this morning. I was just checking on dams built in Sri Lanka and found this website. My brother and I lived in the camp with Ron Utley and I remember pictures of your parents. That was a wonderful life for us living in Sri Lanka. It was and I’m sure still is a beautiful region where the dam was built. My dad worked for Morrison Knudsen for years and we had a wonderful life living and traveling the world. Thomas, I would appreciate it if you would let me know if you ever heard from Ron. My brother and I have often wondered where he is. Just the other night I had a call from Jim Aiken who also lived there during the construction and worked for Morrison Knudsen. My Email address is smportugal@cs.com