Janith Diwantha Withanachchi, is currently studying mechatronics, for his degree in engineering at the Colombo ICBT Campus. While his primary education was at Poddiwala Maha Vidyalaya, Galle, he completed his GCE O/L examination at St. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela and his London A/L examination at Edexel in Colombo.
Withanachchi joined the Ceylon German Technical Training Institute for further studies and immediately after completing the course he entered Colombo ICBT campus.
ICBT is a tertiary education institute in Sri Lanka, popularly known as ICBT Campus. It has diverse educational courses including Certificate, and Diploma courses, Higher National Diplomas, pre University programs, Undergraduate programs and Masters level programs in association with leading Universities and educational service providers in UK.
While their main Campus is in Colombo, ICBT has campuses in Kandy, Matara, Galle, Nugegoda, Kurunegala, Jaffna and Batticaloa .University partners of ICBT Campus include, Cardiff Metropolitan University UK, Liverpool John Moore’s University UK, Sunderland University UK and Birmingham City University UK.
We got selected from Sri Lanka as an undergraduate team from Moratuwa University. More than 60 teams represented Sri Lanka. As the Moratuwa University team was placed first, we were placed second. There were five members in our team. The first three teams were able to participate in the Indian competition.
Q: What is your specialized field of study?
I have successfully completed my HND in mechatronics so now my only target is to do my degree in mechatronics. At the German technology training institute too, I did mechatronics. So basically, my main field is mechatronics, which is a subject of a combination of electronics and mechanicals.
Q: Was there any special reason for you to select mechatronics?
Yes, my aim was to study mechatronics because it varies in different paths and because it is not one but many combinations put together, making it a combination of electronics, robotics and automation. This gives me the knowledge and training to do things related to automation. That is the reason why I’m really interested in mechatronics.
Q: Are you convinced that you can contribute something valuable to Sri Lanka’s economy?
Well these days with the help of some of my ICBT friends we found a way to help Sri Lanka’s Economy providing an idea for the government for wild elephant attacks and such. We don’t have a proper technological system in Sri Lanka to handle these internal problems. In South Asia most of the countries are affected because they don’t have proper technological systems.
So, we have proposed an intention system for the government. The investigations are in progress now.
Q: Can you elaborate on this Elephant detecting project, about these sensors and measurements?
As for measurements – we are dealing with a frequency. We have given a full project report to the relevant authorities. As soon as we get the license we will be releasing it. This project is not for any financial gain but because wild animals are priceless treasure to our country and we need to save our Country and our wild Elephants
Q: Do you have any idea of inventing any instrument on your own to be an achiever?
Yes of course in the future, with the education system at ICBT that is somewhat clear. In 2016, I was studying at the German Technology Training Institute, where I travelled to India to participate in an international competition. There were more than 22 countries including Egypt and France, and we were placed first.
Q: Can you explain a little more about this Indian competition?
It was an international round. We got selected from Sri Lanka as an undergraduate team from Moratuwa University. More than 60 teams represented Sri Lanka. As the Moratuwa University team was placed first, we were placed second. There were five members in our team. The first three teams were able to participate in the Indian competition. Then only we were placed first competing with other countries. We made a fully automated robot to do a specific task.
Q: There are number of educational institutes in Sri Lanka to obtain degrees and diplomas in the field of electronic engineering & mechatronics, so were there any special reasons for you to choose ICBT campus?
I selected ICBT because their lab facilities are really good. I was looking into that. And they have lots of lab equipment in good condition compared to other private universities. Even during our free time, we can try out anything in the mechanical labs. That is the main reason why I decided to study in ICBT Campus. I cannot mention names, but I went to some other private educational campuses as well, to survey their facilities as you have to spend a lot for a degree. So, compared to other Educational campuses I was satisfied with ICBT.
Q: Is there anything you feel like you will come up with in the future?
Yes, there will be. I don’t pay too much attention to society’s opinions. If I’m doing something correct, if I know that will not harm anyone, definitely I’ll do it fearlessly.
Q: Do you have any plans to go abroad with the knowledge you acquired and with your experience?
Yes. But first of all I have to complete my degree. After finishing my degree of course, I will be working for Sri Lanka.
Q: Is there anything special you would like to say? This is an interesting field. Lot of youngsters would like to know. Have you got any messages to the younger generation?
If you can do something in Sri Lanka with your knowledge, no matter what others think. If you think that is good and that is the right thing to do at a right moment then that is the best thing to do.
Q: Do you work for any companies?
No. Actually, I got good recommendations from Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and Minister Sarath Amunugama. They offered me jobs but I refused because I wanted to concentrate only on my degree. bmd