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| Sunday, 25 July 2004 |
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Sanka Nanayakkara : The Wonder Kid by Lakmal Welabada "How does the sky generate such beautiful light?" , Sanka Nanayakkara used to wonder as a kid, often driving his parents, crazy with his frequent questions of a similar nature. But, over the years, they recognised the logic behind his questioning when Sanka began transforming the knowledge gained from these questions to inventions of his own, that not only brought him recognition, but also won him awards. Today, at the age of 19, Sanka hopes his newest innovation the 'Power surge lightning protector with unlimited surge handling capacity' will win him a place in the Presidential Awards for Inventions, to be held this year. He has already patented the invention, a 2 1/2" by 1 1/2" box enclosing a chaotic network of wires, switches and batteries. "What is this 'Power surge lightning protector with unlimited surge capacity'?" "Lightning bolts occur in between the clouds and some of them tend to come down to earth. Such cases generate power which we call surge current," explains Sanka, adding that sometimes this surge current links with (electric) power lines and tends to cause heavy damage to electric and electronic appliances. "Mere switching off of an appliance (while still plugged on) cannot guarantee full safety," he points out, saying that disconnecting and isolating the appliance completely from the main supply is the only solution. "My invention is an electronic device with a fast response to surge power generated by lightning bolts. It listens to lightning, decides the danger, disconnects and isolates the appliance from the main power supply," he says adding that the device can also switch on the 'stand by power line' such as a generator (if such alternator is attached to it). "At the end of the risk period the 'Power surge protector' automatically restores the main power of the place," Sanka explains further. According to him, the imported 'surge diverters' in the market at present, have an 'unlimited' increase in price with its limited capacity to protect the electrical system. The price of such a gadget can go up to even above Rs. 60,000. But the 'gadget' made by this teen-scientist with the unlimited capacity can be bought for Rs,35,000. The real reason that intrigued Sanka to invent his 'Power surge protector' is also an interesting story. Until two years ago, Sanka's father owned an ice cream factory where the refrigerators needed to be on for 24 hours. Lightning was not a favourable sign to the Nanayakkara family. Whenever he saw a ray of lightning, Sanka's father used to rush to the factory which was about 1/2 a mile away from home to turn off the main current supply in order to protect the refrigerators from being getting damaged. One evening father and son had a hearty discussion about the problem. That both his parents worked at the Meteorological Department was a co-incidence as well as a blessing for Sanka. His innovative father has always encouraged him to invent something novel. After excessive research on the available imported 'surge diverters', the duo decided to work on the new invention. With his father's back up, Sanka started experimenting. The new invention which first appeared merely as an electronic circuit sensitive to lightning won second place at the 'Electroni-X 2000', an inter school competition and science exhibition. Sanka was studying at Mahanama Vidyalaya, Colombo at that time. The 'surge' was developed step by step,with many awards along the way. Sanka who got through the O/L exam with ten Distinctions entered Ananda College, Colombo for his A/Ls and is now awaiting results. His 'circuit' which went with him won the Bronze medal at 'Ananda Innovations 2000'. The same year Sanka won first place at the All Island School Inventors' Exhibition' organised by the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science. After getting the patent for 'Surge', Sanka applied for the 'Presidential Award for the Inventions' conducted by the Inventions Commission of Sri Lanka, and is now waiting for the results. Sanka's parents still remember how he converted a Grand Father Clock into an electronic device. He was just twelve years old then. "Normally a Grand Father Clock is run either by the weight of the pendulum, battery or by winding. But, he made it run by an electronic circuit," say his proud parents. Though his time is spent mostly welding tiny diodes, transistors and resisters on a board with a soldering iron, and making and testing new circuits, Sanka has never ignored his other talents and social balance in life. He has a good ear for music, and plays the violin and the organ. In addition, Sanka was an active member of the Inventors Club, Leo Club and Astronomy society at school level. He was the president of the Aeronautical Club of Ananda College in 2003. Photography, reading aeronautical books and helping his only brother (still at school, and who is also crazy about electronics) in his project to make an automatic rain gauge are among his daily routine at present. "I am studying for the 'City and Guild' exams (in electronics) now. I hope to continue my studies in electronics," says the youngster. Though not involved seriously in sports, Sanka has played cricket and done swimming in school. "I still play cricket every evening, but that of course is with my friends around our place," he says with a smile. Sanka heads the Buddhist Children's Society in Horana where he lives, and says he really admires the discipline he has got from the temple. "Every youngster should get a good religious background whatever said and done it really helps you," he says. |
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