Before joining the company in 2001, Udeni Samanthilake first encountered Vidullanka when he surveyed the area allocated for the Bambarabatu Oya Mini Hydropower plant in the Banangoda area in 1997. Following the completion of the plant, he joined the Vidul family in 2001 as an assistant and has since served the company for 23 years. “When I joined in 2001, I didn’t even know what a turbine was, I had never even heard that word before.” Samanthilake shared. Although he was taken on as an assistant to help around the site, he was given the opportunity to complete a short course at a college close to the plant. Throughout his years he was able to learn everything from mechanical and technical skills to engineering, and even politics, which improved his personal development. He was able to develop his career as well and currently serves as the Supervisor of the Bambarabatu Oya Hydro Power Plant, overlooking the operations of the whole plant.

“Being one of the oldest employees of Vidullanka PLC with a service period of 23 years, we have faced many challenges” Samanthilake reminisces. He recalls a time when just a year after he joined the company and was stationed at Bambarabatu Oya, heavy rains had caused a landslide resulting in about 60m of channel being broken off in 2002. This prompted outcry from the villagers who claimed the plant was the reason for the landslide and causing harm to the village, closing the roads in and out of the village. This additionally inhibited the equipment to repair the damage from reaching the plant while also obstructing the workers from leaving. Samanthilake found himself caught in the middle, sharing that “[it] was extremely stressful for me as I am a resident from the same village and had been with Vidullanka for such a short time”. However, Samanthilake stepped up as liaison between the plant and the villagers and aided with resolving the conflict. The plant was thereby able to acquire the equipment and was up and running again in just eleven days.

Despite the challenges that came with the work, Samanthilake has continued to dedicate his skills to Vidullanka, a journey that has not been without its lessons. He credits the company for equipping him with the education, skills and experience that has taught multiple lessons and taken him beyond his work at the plant. “…I was sent to Uganda as an operator in 2018 for a year and the exposure and experience I gained there was very helpful to get me to where I am today”. He appreciates the opportunities he has received, and he sees the company’s ethos of making those opportunities accessible to all. He also values the company’s efforts to consider the welfare of employees and their balance between work.