Making miniature bus models, his forte

Somadasa Lekamge

Model buses like the old dinky toys that people used to collect over the years in the days gone by is a creation of Somadasa Lekamge who makes model buses that are found in Sri Lanka. They are of various sizes and even date back to six to seven years. Somadasa who is turning seventy, pays attention to detail and catches ever bit of the bus in his model. A bus imported to Sri Lanka a few years ago is an interesting model.

Somadasa had taken to making these models as a hobby when he was fourteen years.

Now it is income generating as well as he is able to find a ready market for these bus models.

When he began Somadasa used chemically hardened box boards as the raw material.

Now he uses a thin variety of aluminium sheets.

The model buses include name boards, registration number plates ,dashboards, shutters and seats. He goes through immense trouble to make a suitable model.

Somadasa patiently attends to every detail ensuring that once the bus is fixed, it will be a miniature replica of the bus.

He has held several solo exhibitions in some towns. He has held exhibitions at the Deyata Kirula exhibition as well. He wants to start on a larger scale so that it could be an employment avenue for youth in the area. He hails from Wiyalayodawatta in Eheliyagoda which is a rural outback.

Text and pictures by Nimal Wijayatunga, Eheliyagoda Special Corr.