Lanka ranks top in construction industry
 

by Lalin Fernandopulle

Sri Lanka ranks top when we compare the standard of construction with some Asian countries. This is because the construction industry was influenced by the British during their occupancy here. Construction methods and systems established in England were transferred to Sri Lanka.

The universities continued to maintain very high standards in the fields of engineering and architecture, Chairman Construction Training and Development Authority (ICTAD), Prof. Lakshman Alwis said.

The construction industry is an important sector in developing the country. Infrastructure development is essential to achieve economic growth.

Therefore, if the construction industry is a vital component in the growth machinery then it has to be a recognised profession.

Prof. Alwis said shortcomings in public institutes which deal with construction should be overcome by appointing competent personnel and paying them decent wages. Employees in the construction industry are not treated as in any other field.

They have lost dignity due to the condition of labour. We need to give due respect to skilled labourers and grant their rights. Today construction work is undertaken very informally by contractors and the employees are treated shabbily. The employer disregards the employee's welfare measures such as ETF and EPF schemes.

"We in Sri Lanka are very fortunate that we have been able to continue with the standards established during the British period. The ICTAD formed in 1986 introduced the registration of contractors and grading of contractors such as M1, M2 and M3 which serves as a pre-requisite for bidding for contracts of different values and specialities", he said.

ICTAD has formulated construction documentation such as the condition of contractors, specifications and consultancy documentations.

In all construction work quality standards should be maintained by following good practices by consultants and contractors.

There are complaints with regard to delays in completing construction within a specified time which has a spiral effect on the cost of construction.

Prof. Alwis said in recent times we have seen the standard of construction developing and it is second to no country.

While universities maintain standards the construction industry followed suit and established professional bodies such as the Institute of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL), and Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) which have been enacted by Parliament.

The construction industry has a big role to play if the government is to achieve 8 percent GDP growth. We need to develop our infrastructure such as roads, highways, dams, reservoirs and other important sectors.

Today government agencies are only talking about building constructions. It is only part of the large wheel. We need to construct flyovers, roads and highways if the country is to progress and achieve economic prosperity, said CEO-Secretary General, Chamber of Construction Industry Sri Lanka (CCISL), Dakshitha Thalagodapitiya.

Thalagodapitiya said we must go for affordable housing for the low and middle income earning groups. The private sector does not invest in affordable housing but in luxury housing complexes. The chambers should support a pro-poor housing program.

The CCISL is fully supportive of this concept where the poor and low income families will benefit.

What we need is a construction industry supporting a pro-poor housing construction program. We need to reduce the cost of construction by introducing alternative cost-effective and environmental friendly construction material. We must advocate off-shore sand as a viable alternative.

Transfer of technology by introducing light steel roofing systems is another option to reduce costs. The chamber and the government sector should support the small and medium sector in business development, Thalagodapitiya said.

Sri Lanka's construction industry has proved to be reliable. We never hear of buildings collapsing as in many other countries.

We must market our construction industry to the rest of the world. That should be our focus, Executive Director, NCED Rohantha Athukorala said.