Orel Corporation-UoK partner to launch SL’s first-ever Smart Ceiling Fan Controller

From left: Orel Corporation Head of Projects Innovations Rajitha Wickramasinghe, Director Business Development Gamini Ranasinghe, Chief Executive Officer Sanath Wijethunga, University of Kelaniya Vice Chancellor/Senior Professor Nilanthi De Silva, Science Faculty Dean/Senior Professor Sudath R.D. Kalingamudali and University Business Linkage Cell Director Dr. Pradeep Samarasekere

University of Kelaniya (UoK) Physics and Electronics Department has created a revolutionary product, the Smart Remotely Controllable Ceiling Fan Regulator.
This innovative device replaces conventional manual regulators, without requiring any alterations to the electrical wiring system.

The Smart Remotely Controllable Ceiling Fan Regulator is a game-changing product, providing unparalleled convenience to users. This product was first developed by undergraduate student Kelum Perera during his honours degree final year research project, under the supervision of Professor Sudath Kalingamudali. Thereafter, Nuwangi Cooray modified the product using Bluetooth technology with a mobile application. This was followed by Dr. Kasun Piyumal, Supun Gunarathne and Geethanjana Wanigasekara, who further developed it for commercialisation.

OREL Corporation (Private) Limited recently entered into a patent licence agreement to introduce this cutting-edge product into the market, that has the potential to transform the ceiling fan regulator market and bring about a significant improvement in the quality of life for customers. 

Orel, with its advanced research and development facilities and robust business development capabilities, aims to spearhead the promotion of this groundbreaking product in both local and international markets. Orel has introduced this unique product to their product portfolio under Orange Electric Odessa range, which caters to the premium customer segment. 

The notable feature of this innovation is that it has a ‘smart control’ feature, which enables to operate the regulator using the smart phone or tablet PC, connecting to ORELHOME App, via Bluetooth or WiFi. This wireless control feature offers unparalleled convenience, allowing to regulate the ceiling fan from the comfort of a couch or bed. 
“At the Business Development Division of Orel, we believe that synergy and collaboration are the winning formulas to grow businesses in multiple folds, during trying circumstances. We are happy to nurture such innovations of the country and pave its path to commercialisation, which will in turn benefit not only our organisation and the university but the entire country as whole,” stated Orel Corporation (Pvt.) Ltd Director Business Development 
Gamini Ranasinghe.  

“We are extremely happy to collaborate with a giant in the Sri Lankan electrical industry to commercialise this innovation and with its wider global presence and the greater brand equity of Orange Electric, we strongly believe our innovation will have a global reach. We have taken a generous step of formulating a department fund to support and nurture such innovations to commercialisation. When many innovations in the country have failed due to lack of a support system for commercialisation, our collaboration creates a greater inspiration for all budding inventors to innovate many in the future,” said UoK Science Faculty Dean Prof. Sudath Kalindamudali. 
As such, this venture represents the university’s dedication to innovation and excellence and Orel Corporation’s mission of supporting local universities on creating inventions and solutions that address 
public needs. 

Orel Corporation Managing Director Kushan Kodituwakku added, “Innovation is in the lifeblood of Orel and our teams constantly search for solutions for the future requirements of the mankind, may it be in the spheres of artificial intelligence, sustainable energy, IoT, etc. The licence agreement signed with the university for the Smart Remotely Controllable Ceiling Fan Regulator is a testament to our commitment to this mission and we are proud to be a part of this groundbreaking innovation that will revolutionise the ceiling fans market in 
Sri Lanka.”