U. N. Gunasekera
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U.N. Gunasekera (B.Sc. Eng. London, MI.Struct. UK, F.I.E.) is a well-known Construction Engineer in Sri Lanka. He built the Ceylon Inter-Continental hotel and the Lanka Oberoi hotel, among other projects.
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[edit] Projects
Mr.Gunasekera has undertaken and completed projects which have included Bank Headquarters (eg. HNB), Hotels [(eg. Ceylon Inter-Continental, Lanka Oberoi (all 3 stages; 600 rooms)], Habarana Lodge and Mount Lavinia Hotel), Political Party Headquarters (SLFP, UNP), Shopping Malls (Welikada Plaza, YMBA), Apartment Complexes (Police), Office Complexes (People's Park Complex), Auditoriums (Bishop's College Auditorium), Office Buildings (eg. Hemas), Headquarters for the Armed Forces (National Armed Reserve, Air Force, National Intelligence Bureau), Factory Buildings (Ceylon Glass Company), Academic Headquarters (Institution of Engineers, Institute of Chartered Accountants, Institute of Business Management) and University Buildings (Science Faculty, Arts Faculty, University of Colombo), Warehouses (eg. Aitken Spence, Ferntea), Houses (eg. Sirimavo Bandaranaike's) among many more. He is known to be the Most Successful Sri Lankan Civil Engineer of the 20th century with an unprecedented market share in Construction. He was the first Sri Lankan Contractor to build high-rise buildings and therefore was single-handedly responsible for the development of the Engineering level in Sri Lanka.
[edit] Prominence
U.N.Gunaskerea became a household name in the late 70's and was known to be one of the richest men, indeed arguably the richest, of the 80's and early 90's in Sri Lanka and one of its first Billionaires. He was named one of the Five Billionaires of Sri Lanka as recently as 1998 before he retired. By initiating the construction of high rise buildings in Sri Lanka he played a role in the economic and social development of Sri Lanka. It was said that U.N.Gunasekera, whom some Sri Lankans called the 'Father of Modern Construction', set the standard for the Construction level in the country as his projects were considered to be among the highest quality in South-East Asia. He was the President of the Institute of Engineers in Sri Lanka for an unprecedented five years.
[edit] Wealth
He also has many other businesses, such as the Glass House Health Center and Diagnostic Laboratory and was known to be a prominent property investor, having invested in famed Billion-Rupee Multi-Acre property in Sri Lanka's capital, and accumulated vast wealth placing him among Sri Lanka's richest people for many years prior to his retirement. He was known to own many houses in prominent areas of Colombo, Warehouses, Office Buildings, Land and Plantation Estates. He also invested in the Stock Market and in resources. He was also rumoured to have owned a controlling share of the luxurious Mount Lavinia Hotel (which he partially built) though for a short period of time.
[edit] Influence
He developed many influential friendships including that of the First Woman Prime Minister of the world, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Former President Hon. R. Premadasa, (Both of whom considered him their closest ally) Ministers, Heads of Armed Forces and many of the Leading Businessmen. He was considered to be one of the most well-connected and powerful businessman in Sri Lanka before his retirement.
[edit] Services
Other than his philanthropy and representation of Sri Lankan engineers (as President of the Institution of Engineers and later Chairman of the Board of Trustees) and providing health care services, U.N.Gunasekera proved the potential of local contractors and thereby saving millions of dollars for Sri Lanka on contracts which would have otherwise gone to foreign contractors. Even as recently as 1995, he was the only pre-qualified Sri Lankan engineer to bid for the 2.6 Billion Marriott renovation of the Galle Face Hotel. He was also the president of CR&FC club, vice-president of SSC and of the Old Boys Union of Royal College. In 2006, He was awarded Membership of the British Institution of Structural Engineers and Life Membership of the National Construction Association, whose presidency he declined, in recognition of his Professional Excellence; the only person who was not a former president of the association to be bestowed with such an honour. He also received an award for 50 years of Construction Activity from the World Institute of Engineers.
[edit] Faith
U.N.Gunasekera is a strong Buddhist and one of the largest contributors to charities in Sri Lanka, though in a silent manner, and is famed to contributing to a vast number of temples, hospitals and charities. He is famed for constructing the Sambodhi Vihara in Colombo. His approach to life, where he lives as an unassuming and courteous man, on par with the Buddhist way of life, made his vast wealth and power seem unapparent. He is renowned for his Intelligence, Honesty, Non-Racist and Humane qualities.
[edit] Early life
U.N.Gunasekera was educated at the prominent Royal College where he was a member of the Cricket team, Athletics team and Captain of the Rugby team. He also played for the Sri Lanka Public Schools Rugby Team and was known to be one of the best young rugby players of that era. He also held the All-Island Public Schools record for the 220 yard hurdles. He obtained his degree from the University of London after completing the University of Cambridge Higher Diploma.
[edit] Family life
He married the daughter of Sir Ernest de Silva, The Cambridge-educated Former Chairman of the Senate of Sri Lanka and the Founder-Chairman of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, making the lineage one of the most prominent and traditionally wealthy families in South-East Asia. His mother was the philantrophist Mrs. H.M.Gunasekera (OBE, CBE) who together with Lady Evadne de Silva started the Gamini Matha Home For Elders in 1938 and founder of the famous Mrs. H.M.Gunasekera Trust which mass prints Buddhist books for free distribution. His Grandmother, constructed a temple, the 'Abeysingharamaya' which he expanded and maintained. His younger daughter Sushila was a national tennis champion in the 1970s before attending University to study Architecture. His elder daughter Srimani became a doctor and his son Dhammika an engineer.
