Interlocking Earth Compressed Bricks (IECB)

A truly unique and environmentally friendly form of building material - interlocking stabilized earth compressed bricks. They look stylish and impart an individualistic and earthly natural tone.

Its special design enables it to accommodate electrical and water supply systems to virtually anywhere in the building while complimenting the natural surrounding and environment.

Best of all, the cost of houses built with them are amazingly economical and affordable, giving you extremely high value and beauty for relatively very little money.

Since 1950 many laboratories became specialized and skilled in identifying various soils for buildings. Many more projects were born especially in Africa, South America, India and also South East Asia, Europe, United States of America and now in Sri Lanka.

Technology

By using, Interlocking Earth Compressed Bricks it is

• Convenient to construct a house.
• Sand and Cement usage is comparatively less
• Labour usage is less
• Time consumption for construction is less

Available brick types

Type	Dimension	Picture
Full	Length    =295 mm Height    = 100 mm Width     = 146 mm
Half	Length    = 147 mm Height    = 100 mm Width     = 146 mm
Lintel	Length    =295 mm Height    = 100 mm Width     = 146 mm
Three Quarter	Length   = 221 mm Height   = 100 mm Width    = 146 mm

Does this brick long last ?

• Higher compressive strength. (Minimum 3.0 N/mm² which is more than the strength of burned bricks and cement blocks)

Compressive Strength Testing Machine 

Historical evidence

 The oldest one still standing, can be seen in Egypt, new Luxer, which was built about 1300 B.C

What effect does it gives

20% MORE COOLING EFFECT

• The Interlocking Earth Compressed Brick design mainly uses environmentally sound materials and appropriate building technologies
• Thermally radiant, hence inside of the building is cool.
• Create comfortable lifestyle more in relation with nature

Does this brick take a long time to build

• Consume lesser time frame to build up the building due to,Interlocking Earth Compressed Brick is bigger than the normal brick.Therefore it takes less time to construct a sqft.

                       IECB size-295x146x100mm             Burned Brick size-150x100x60 mm

• Interlocking facility
• Convenience in plumbing and electrical pipe laying.
• Not necessary of plastering
• Per day 300 bricks can be laid by one labour

 Why… Housing construction cost is less

Interlocking Earth Compressed Bricks for constructions Earth construction Systems-Appropriate building technologies proper management of construction.

• Saving in sand and cement cost.
• Saving of construction time.
• Saving in labor cost.
• Availability of different types of bricks (Lintel, half, Tree Quarter bricks…)
• Not necessary to have plastering, because it gives attractive appearance.
• Convenience in plumbing and electrical pipe laying.
• Keeps the interior of a building cool.
• Interlocking facility - The innovative Terra interlocking bricks do not need to be laid in bed of motar.

Does this brick easily dissolve

• The soil mixture for an IECB is slightly moisture and poured into a steel press and then compressed either with manual or moisture press.
• The input of soil stabilization allowed building walls, which have much better compressive strength and water resistance.
• Cement is able to disperse itself to fill the pore spaces where it sets and hardens to form a continuous matrix, which surrounds the particles of soil, and bind them together.
• And the manufactured brick cured for four weeks.

If bricks expose to the rain does it seepage

As normal burned brick & cement block brick; inter locking earth compressed bricks also get seepage when they expose to the rain.

To avoid it,

• Use colourless water repellant
• Cement based soil paint
• Silicon based paint where the bricks are severely exposed
• Plastered walls
• Apply weather shield paint       

What types of exterior finishes are possible

• Preferred option-Exposed brick
• Apply paint only  
• Plastered walls and painted walls
• Apply the filler and painted walls

Reliable supplier 

OS Bricks (pvt) Ltd.(Terra Bricks)

No:49 , Sri Jinarathana Road,

Colombo 02.

Fax:0114792128

Sales Manager
Duminda Wijesinghe

Mobile: 0714084572 / 0772293845

Email: duminda@orelpower.com

Reference Sites

A House @ Kandy

 A House @ Kandy

A House @ Kandy

 A House @ Rajagiriya

A House @ Rajagiriya (Blind Wall with Colorless Water proofing )

MAS INTIMATES,Thurulie @ Thulhiriya

MAS INTIMATES,Thurulie @ Thulhiriya

A House @ Meegoda

Orange Electric Factory @ Meegoda

A House @ Kaluthara

A House @ Kaluthara

Environment Authority Building @ Kotte

House @ Jubilikanuwa-Kotte

Hot Water Springs,Mahapelessa,Sooriyaweva,Sri Lanka

Natural hot springs are located in three areas of Sri Lanka. First is the hot spring nestling in the eastern province at Kanniya - off the Trincomalee-Anuradhapura road , while the next is at Maha Oya (also in the eastern province) on the Badulla-Batticaloa road and finally the third one is in Mahapelessa, lying in the deep south of the Hambantota district. The world over such hot springs were named as healing mineral thermal waters.

The reason being that these thermal waters contain medicinal properties to cure ailments like skin eruptions and other rheumatic pains. Even our ancients, particularly the Buddhist monks living in ancient cave hermitages had made the best use of these healing hot springs for body and skin ailments.

Till the emergence of the Uda Walawe multi-purpose project in 1962/63, the Mahapelessa hot springs was unknown.Under the Uda Walawe project the whole of the Walawe basin got transformed into a vast developed area teeming with multitudes of farming communities filled with sprawling rice fields, a network of agro-based industries, and still another network of roads ramifying in connecting with the main trunk roads.

The other route was an adventurous one off its beaten track by crossing the Walawe ganga by boat through Liyanagastota irrigation anicut and landing at Begigamtota. From there the hike is 2-3 miles through the forest glades of groves of Jule trees (Woodapple).In these by-gone years over half a century ago, Mahapelessa hot springs was sunk in the labyrinth of the jungle tide. It was then accessible through the hard terrain of Ambalantota-Ridiyagama government farm, via the Madunagala Aranne (the ancient forest hermitage). From there one had to trudge by foot about three miles.

The famed literary scholar cum Assistant Government Agent - Leonard Woolf (1908-11) of Hambantota district, in his printed diaries had mentioned the arduous trek how he had hacked through the dense jungle to reach Mahapelessa hot springs after crossing the Walawe ganga by boat at Bogigmatota.

Embilipitiya is the metropolis of the Walawe project. It has now blossomed from a sleepy hamlet into a boom town linked by trunk roads to other cities like Galle, Matara-Ambalantata-Hambantota-Tissamaharama-Kataragama and even to Wellawaya.

Hence during its constructions spearheaded by the River Valleys Development Board, Sooriyaweva (about 10 miles from Embilipitiya) has become the hub of the left bank region of the Uda Walawe reservoir. To reach Mahapelessa, one access road is through Sooriyaweva.

From there lies the Viharahagala branch irrigation channel bund road - now converted into a fine carpet road - deviating from Padalangala (about 7 miles from Embilipitiya) that leads to Sooriyaweva and Mirijjavila (close to Hambantota), to fall into its main highway of Tissamaharama highway. From Embilipitiya to Sooriyaweva is 10 miles.

From this carpet road leading to Mirijjavila via Sooriyaweva, close to its 6th kilometre post (from Padalangala on the Nonagama highway), lies the access road to Mahapelessa hot springs running into about 6 kilometres on a gravelled roadway. From Mirijjavila to Mahapelessa on this carpet road is about 25 miles.

Dr. R. L. Brohier in his 'Seeing Ceylon' has spun a thrilling but fascinating tale that the elephants, when they were in dotage, went to breathe their last at this Mahapelessa hot springs!

Elephants even now roam around this Mahapelessa area of the human and farming settlements causing damage to crops, human habitations and even loss to human lives.

During the dry season, in the past, baby elephants were in the habit of falling into the hotwells, when they came for water by accident.

Hence to avert such fatal accidents, the Mahaweli Authority (Walawe special area) based at Embilipitiya (presently in overseeing this Walawe basin area) in the 1980s had got the periphery of the walls of the hot springs raised and two separate partitions were also made to cater to males and females. Thereafter, no such elephant tragedies had happened.

The first well contains the original hot springs where the water is fairly hot. A pipe had been constructed from the original well to feed second well where the water is lukewarm.

Hot Water

Villagers say that when rice was cooked from the hot water obtained from its original well, it waters act as a preservative against the cooked rice getting stale quickly.

Leonard Woolf had recorded the chemical properties of the hot water springs of Mahapelessa. Its diary entry of 1.8.1910, says thus: "...I sent water from the spring to the Government Analyst. His report is thus: "Total solids 534 parts per 10,000; chlorine: 248.0 -do-; lime: 95.0 -do-; Nitrates: Nil. Sulphates: present (small). The water contains high properties of lime (including magnesium), but otherwise does not appear remarkable."

In the vicinity of the Mahapelessa hot springs, there are two ancient rock cave hermitages coming down from time immemorial. These are namely, Madunagala and Karambagala Arannes. In ancient times Arahants (highest sages), had lived in those rock cave shelters tucked away in these two ancient monasteries - Madunagala and Karambagala.

Such Arahants and Buddhist recluse monks had exclusively made the best use of these thermal healing waters to cure varied ailments arising out of rheumatic pains and other skin eruptions. Those Arahants and Buddhist hermit monks there had regular hot water baths at Mahapelessa hot springs. Even visitors from home and abroad have their hot water baths. With the new road linking Mahapelessa along the carpet road of Padalangala-Sooriya Weva-Mirijjavila there have been an influx of tourists both local and foreign.

In foreign countries like Russia and Siberia where such thermal sprigs are located, senatorial, spa wells have been constructed. Even at such sanatoria, bath indoor and outdoor treatment are afforded to such patients seeking thermal treatment.

It is gratifying to note that from recent times, the Southern Provincial Council in collaboration with the Hambantota Pradeshiya Saba have risen to the occasion in getting such a complex established where presently construction works are going headway.

Its entire complex as envisaged in their plans would consist of a Spa, a sanatorium, bath tubs, concrete seats (to be constructed around the periphery of the Hotsprings), provide both indoor and outdoor patients suffering from such disorders like rheumatism, skin diseases and the like. Local medicinal plants and herbs would be used in the preparation of the prescribed medicines.

Both the University authorities of Peradeniya and Moratuwa had done extensive research studies into the analytical compounds of the Mahapelessa hot springs in 1998.

The Peradeniya University team was led by Professor S.P. Dissanayaka, while that of the Moratuwa University by Professor Dayantha Wijesekera. Such research activities were co-ordinated by the academic staff drawn from the Edinborough University, as well.

According to this research paper by these teams, it has been disclosed that for one minute duration, 10 litres of geo-thermal energy could be produced. In these revelations, mention has also being made that 11 such hot springs have been identified which are located in this very thermal underground geo-belt, covering the other two well known two hotsprings at Kanniya (in Tricomalee), and at Maha Oya off the Batticaloa - Badulla road.

Some time back, it was reported that the Army stationed in Trincomalee had stumbled upon still another hotspring in the outskirts of Truncomalee.

The gravelled access road leading to the Mahapelessa hotsprings off the main road of Padlanddla Sooriya Weva-Mirijavila during the rainy season gets flooded leaving pot holes.

Hence this access gravelled road has to be metalled. Construction of suitable culverts, particulary close to the entrance to the hotsprings too have to be done, as the small causeway constructed across the flowing stream is subjected to flooding during the rainy season.

With the forthcoming tourist complex looming over the hot springs of Mahapelessa, the villagers around its vicinity are having brisk sales of their hard earned chena produce and other cereal products.

Among them are green peas, cow-pea, Indian corn (Badainguru), ground nuts (rata kaju), kurakkan (in packets), Next come local fruits like mangoes, papaw, water solon, local vegetables, drumsticks (murunga),

The children display an array of ornamental grass pieces festooned with tiny flowers to be adorned in city houses in the drawing rooms. Dried beli flowers picketed are also available for sale. Instant herbal drinks made out of these beli mal (flowers) are also ready at hand.

These vendors drawn from women, damsels and even children have said that they are economically benefitted by their sales to the tourists.

The elders on the other hand voiced that tourism promotion work was good for the betterment of earning some extra income. But they cautioned that the authorities concerned should be vigilant over the potential evils of corruption that may creep in surreptiously.

They contended that immoral activities like child prostitution may raise its ugly head, when foreign tourists move about around this place, as have already perpetrated into other tourist resorts like Hikkaduwa, Negombo and Chilaw.

Both the incumbents of the Madunagala Aranne and Karabagala Aranne expressed their reservations about the new tourist boom contended that is going to overtake at Mahapelessa hot springs, as the youths are still unspoilt in their morals.

Hence they opined that both the Palath Saba and Pradeshiya Saba of the Hambantota district take stringent measures to stem such nefarious activities taking place, in collaboration with the Sooriya Weva Police which is located about three miles away.

 Information credit:Gamini G. Punchihewa,Daily News, 31 July 2004

Contact Numbers of Forest Department and Wildlife Department for Reservations

Department of Wildlife @ Baththaramulla  Contact Number 0112888585 

Bungalows and most of Camp sites in National Parks reservations are done from the Baththaramulla office.Also, we need to submit a request letter.

Contact numbers for reservation of Camp sites

Bundala National Park Office Contact Number - 0602489070

Vilpattuwa National Park Office Contact Number - 0252257893 

Okanda Wildlife Office Contact Number-055 572 0222

Inginiyagala Wildlife Office Contact Number- 063 2242 002
(for reservation of camp sites in Galoya National Park -Inginiyagala Side)

Nilgala Wildlife Office Contact Number-055 573 3260 
(for reservation of camp sites in Galoya National Park-Nilgala Side)


Illukkumbura Contact Number- 0602682454 

Horton plains Contact Number- 0602539042

Lahugala Contact Number- 0272248735


Maduruoya Contact Number- 0662234207


Minneriya Contact Number-0602279243


Yala Contact Number- 0602489297


Wasgamuwa Contact Number- 0602669046


Udawalawa Contact Number- 0472233292


Ritigala Contact Number- 0272222262


Forest Department @ Baththaramulla Contact Numbers  0112866631, 0112866632, 0112875540 

(for reservation of bungalows and camp sites in Forest Department managed area such as Sinharaja) 

Nadi Reading

Nadi Astrology is a form of Hindu astrology practiced in Tamil Nadu, India. It is based on the belief that the past, present and the future lives of all humans were foreseen by Hindu sages in ancient time

Procedure of Nadi Astrology

The procedure involved in the reading of the palm leaves in Nadi Astrology is a closely guarded secret, being passed down from generation to generation.They are not gerneally exposed to the common public.

The Nadi astrologer first takes the thumbprint of the person who has come in serach of his Nadi leaf. He then uses the print of the thumb to identify the possible palm leaves from the numerous manuscripts in his possession. Usually Nadi Readers have bundles of these palm inscriptions at their disposal. It is not a certainity that the person's leaf would be with that particular Nadi Reader. It might be with a another Reader in India. Else the leaf might have vanished after years of neglect.

Once the Nadi Reader locates the particular bundle , he begins to read from each leaf and asks the person a series of questions about his or her life, while attempting to identify the correct leaf. This process can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours and it should be noted that it isn't always possible to identify a person's record. Once he locates the correct leaf , he begins to read from the leaf, describing the person's life in detail.

First there would be a general reading and then, based on the person's interest, additional leaves are consulted to explore areas such as marital relationships, profession and business, past or future lives, etc. The Nadi astrologer will also suggest remedial measures that the person can take to reduce the influences of past karma and enhance the benefits of future activities.

Popular Nadi reading place in Sri Lanka

SHRI KOWSIKA AGASTHIYA NADI ASTROLOGICAL BUREAU

Leaflet (Sinhala version)

Leaflet (English version)