Negotiating power and constructing the nation : engineering in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This study is an

investigation of the relationship between Sri Lankan engineering and Sinhala

nationalism, the nationalism of the Sinhalese, the majority community living in

the island. It attempts to understand why the Sinhalese regard themselves as masters in engineering although the actual level of technological development of the island remains very low, and how this particular narrative of Sri Lankan engineering has been held to be legitimate over a long period of time. In order to achieve the above objective this study concentrates on three sites: the Aberdeen Laxapana Hydro Electric Scheme (1900-1936) and the Accelerated Mahaweli Development Project (1978-1985), two important engineering projects commissioned during the twentieth century, as the first two sites, and as the third site - a mythical engineering site, the recent surge of interest among the Sinhalese in Ravana, the ancient king and his technological dynasty (2000-2016).