Advantis Projects Speeds Ahead with the Delivery of Sri Lanka’s Largest Tunnel Boring Machines

Sri Lanka’s undisputed leader in project logistics and heavy cargo transportation, Advantis Projects, a
subsidiary of Hayleys Advantis Limited, is swiftly moving ahead with the delivery of two of the largest
Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) ever to be deployed in the island. This operation will help expedite
the progress of one of the nation’s most ambitious modern irrigation development projects: the
North Central Province Canal Project (NCPCP).
Also known as the Upper Elahera Canal project, the development envisions the construction of an
underground tunnel to transfer water between the Kalu Ganga Reservoir and the Moragahakanda
Reservoir, as well as the construction of the Upper Elehera Canal to connect the Moragahakanda
Reservoir to the Huruluwewa, Manakattiya, Eruwewa, and Mahakanadarawa Reservoirs.
Upon completion, the project will provide clean drinking water to over 25,000 families in 13
divisional secretariats across Sri Lanka’s water-stressed North Central Province. The project will
also provide critical support to national efforts to enhance food security by providing new life to Sri
Lanka’s agriculture sector through the irrigation of over 43,000 hectares of essential cultivations.
The two TBMs delivered by Advantis Projects will be utilised to drill a 28 KM tunnel that will supply
water to a series of small tanks used for agricultural irrigation – just in time for the next Yala and
Maha seasons. With the first unit having already reached its destination, Advantis Projects is now in
the process of delivering the second unit to its construction site in Attanakadawela.
While providing support for the construction of large-scale projects as the NCPCP, the Company
was faced with complex and challenging obstacles, such as the transportation of the TBMs and its
supplementeray components, which collectively weighed 3,000 Tonnes. The machinery was
unloaded off cargo ships at the Trincomalee Port and transported in multiple consignments in under
50 days, across narrow, winding roads to remote construction sites, covering an overall distance of
25,000 KM.
“Transporting the two largest TBMs ever attempted in Sri Lanka is a highly complex and challenging
task. Given the significance of this movement nationally, we considered this project extremely high
value, ensuring that safe and timely delivery was met. We are proud to note that Advantis Projects
successfully leveraged their wealth of advanced technical expertise and best-in-class technology to
deliver logistics solutions that support our nation,” said Janitha Jayanetti, Group Director of Hayleys
Advantis Limited.


Given that the transportation of these units may damage road networks or cause undue
inconvenience to the general public, Advantis Projects was conscious of undertaking the end-to-end
responsibility of an exhaustive list of supporting functions. Accordingly, as part of the overall
delivery, Advantis Projects also undertook the widening of numerous roads leading up to the
delivery site, in addition to strengthening and reinforcing several smaller bridges along the route to
the construction site.
This in turn required the Company to coordinate and work in close collaboration with Government
authorities such as the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Road Development Authority, Urban
Development Authority, Sri Lanka Police, Sri Lanka Navy and other connected state institutions and
local authorities.
“Prior to the cargo reaching the port, we conducted multiple inspections of the route that the TBMs
would travel. This included ensuring that all roads, bridges and tunnels were in good condition to
accommodate our specialised multi-axel trailers. We also utilised advanced 3D computer simulations
of the entire route down to the last inch, as well as multiple real-world test-runs to ensure that we
plan with accuracy for every possible eventuality,” explained Shadil Rizan, Director/CEO of Advantis
Projects.
Remarkably, the entire project was undertaken by just over 60 employees, including in-house
engineers, project managers, operations executives and other skilled staff, who committed in excess
of 35,000 man-hours.
The specialised project logistics and heavy cargo transportation services provided for the NCPCP is
the latest in a series of milestone projects that Advantis Projects have successfully undertaken. Most
recently, the Company contributed towards several of Sri Lanka’s largest civilian infrastructure
development projects.


About Advantis Projects
With nearly 20 years of experience, Advantis Projects and Engineering offers services in project
logistics, heavy-cargo transport, heavy-cargo lifting solutions, equipment rental, erection, and
installation services with a proven track record, a technology-driven approach and adherence to
industry best practices.
Advantis Projects, a fully owned subsidiary of Hayleys Advantis Limited, constantly strives to provide
innovative logistics and construction solutions for a wide variety of industries. Operating with the
latest technology applications, the Company has expanded its service offering over the years,
ensuring that best-in-class project logistics and construction solutions are available in Sri Lanka.

About Hayleys Advantis
Hayleys Advantis Limited is the transportation, logistics and engineering arm of Hayleys PLC, a
diversified blue-chip multinational conglomerate and a recognised leader among Sri Lanka’s publicly
listed companies.

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