Green Building Council for construction industry
SLIA to play pivotal role:
Charumini de Silva
Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) is planning to setup Green
Building Council of Sri Lanka with all stakeholders in the construction
industry to improve standards of the industry. All stakeholders such as
engineers, architects, environmentalists, planners and quantity survey
consultants will participate so that there will not be disparities in
the quality of the construction industry. SLIA will play pivotal role in
this initiative Sri Lanka Institute of Architects President, Chandana
Edirisuriya told Daily News Business.
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SLIA President
Chandana Edirisuriya |
The majority of the architects are aware of the green concept and has
shown interest. Energy efficiency is vital in construction industry.
The energy efficiency plan has to be included at the design stage of
the plan.
The resources are being used unnecessarily when we could use daylight
for some designs. These messages should be taken to the public and make
them aware to take the maximum use of limited resources,” he said.
He said to have a growth and development, any industry must be able
to perform individually.
“Young architects are very creative and talented. The talents of our
architects are recognized by the entire world and they are capable of
performing under any international standard.
But the opportunity for capacity building is lacking.
Sri Lankan architects have ventured into the international market.
“We need support from the Government to safeguard these architects,”
Edirisuriya said.
The Sri Lankan construction industry is still recovering from the
global downturn and at present there is a slow progress. Economy has
shown a steady growth and investments will come in.
“We are optimistic about the future of the industry. From 1990 to
date our industry has been volatile. Many countries such as US, Dubai,
Gulf region countries, Singapore, China and India were affected by the
global economic downturn in the latter part of 2008. But China overcame
that situation faster because the Chinese Government pumped money in to
the industry,” he said. “Our industry is very sensitive to the entire
internal and external factors in the market. During the global economic
meltdown the impact of it reflected on the apartment and the tourism
industry.
Apartment industry investments reduced since investors had not found
it as a viable investment,” Edirisuriya said. |
