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| Thursday, 26 February 2004 |
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Construction work on Lanka's tallest building begins in June By Shirajiv Sirimane Construction work on the tallest building in Sri Lanka, the 43 storeyed Ceylinco Celestial Residencies will commence in June. Chairman Managing Director, Design Consortium Limited, Prof. Lakshman De Alwis, who was named, honorary fellow of architects is the chief architect. He said that the complex would be completed in 40 months. Classified as the most expensive construction in Sri Lanka, the estimated cost of the project would be over Rs. five billion. Having served the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects as a Council Member for almost 20 years he said that the complex would include 250 apartments, a large shopping complex, car park and a roof top restaurant. Built on a 250perch land in Kolluptiya, the building would also have a 100-room star hotel. This would be a landmark venture since it would not only be Sri Lanka's tallest building but also a 100 percent Sri Lankan architectural wonder. The present tallest tower, the world Trade Centre with 37 floors was built with foreign technical assistance from the planning stage onwards. In contrast Ceylinco Celestial Residencies do not involve any foreign expertise. Prof Alwis who designed several buildings of repute and obtained awards for many of them, such as, North Colombo Medical College - Professorial Unit, North Colombo Medical College - Library, Sir John Kotelawela Defence Academy, Sri Lanka Institute of Architects Head Office Building, Trans Asia Hotel, Crescat Developments Ltd, new Central Bank Building, Barnes Place Residencies, Cinnamon Garden Residencies, Queens Court and Prince Alfred Tower said that the complex would be built to world-class standards. Former head and Dean of the Department of Architecture he said that Sri Lankan architects are very innovative and could take up any challenge Prof. Alwis served as a Council Member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects for almost 20 years and was the President in 1987/88, 1988/89. He represented the country at many national and international fora, such as Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA), Architects Regional Council of Asia (ARCASIA) and Union of International Architects. (UIA). There are two educational institutions, which have produced 500 architects and six leading construction firms in Sri Lanka. The publisher of "British Period Architecture in Sri Lanka" and "A Carrier Guidance Handbook" he said that there is scope for another institution. Some of the Sri Lanka architects are gainfully employed in Singapore and Australia. Meanwhile, an official of Ceylinco Consolidated said that they have received a positive response from Sri Lanka and overseas. "Everybody is keen to be a part of history and some apartments have been already booked," he said. He said that the response from the expatriate community too was very encouraging. |
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