SLIA lauds Mahinda Chinthanaya

BY EDWARD Arambewala

THE Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) at a press briefing held at the SLIA Auditorium at Vidya Mawatha, Colombo on Tuesday commended the Mahinda Chinthanaya being pursued by this Government.

Programmes of this kind drives into the minds of the people a national feeling which is vital in successfully implementing it, the Architects said.

The press briefing was called by SLIA President Architect Rukshan Vidyalankara to highlight some of the new components the SLIA was Planning to introduce into its National Conference of Architecture, and the Architects Annual Exhibition and Conference for 2006 to be held at the BMICH from February 21st to 25th next year.

The theme of the Conference this year is "National Touch in an International Context" meaning the need to preserve national identity in the built environment of the country which appears fast disappearing in the building projects coming up now.

The Ceremonial Inauguration of the Sessions will be held on February 22 at the BMICH.

The Institute has invited President Mahinda Rajapakse to grace the occasion as the chief guest. Urban Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardene will be the guest of honour.

Immediate Past President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Dr. Paul Hyett will be the key note speaker.

Union of International Architects (UIA) President, Archt. Gaetan Siew, Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) President, Archt. Llewellyn Van Wijk, ARCASIA Chairperson (Architects' Regional Council of Asia) - Archt.

Yolanda Reyes, South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation of Architects Archt. Mubasshar Hussain and American Association of Architects President President Archt. Kate Schwennsen and Archt. Rocco S.K.Yim of Hong Kong will also be participating in the Annual Session of the SLIA.

The following Council Members of the SLIA participated at the press briefing: Archt. Rukshan Widyalankara, President SLIA, Archt. D.B. Navaratne Chairman National Conference, Archt. Chandana Edirisuriya Vice President SLIA, Archt. Jayantha Perera Senior VP SLIA and Archt. Nalaka Jayaweera Chairman BAP.