Commonwealth architects confab begins:

Architects vital in nation building

Charumini DE SILVA

Architects have a keyrole to play in the industry. Sri Lanka is rich in many natural resources and we should make the best use of it in a sustainable manner, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake said.

He was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the 27th Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka institute of Architects at the Water’s Edge yesterday.

This is the first occasion that Sri Lanka is hosting the Commonwealth Association of Architects.

“We expect the discussion and the interactions of our architects with foreign architects to be for mutual benefit. This year’s theme Architect: re-thinking sustainability is a very suitable topic. I think affordability is also important for a country like us without being aesthetic. Especially when it comes to building of houses it has to be focused on the affordability of building a house and affordability to maintain the house,” the Prime Minister said.

“At a time when changes are taking place across the country in various fields, this is the ideal time for architects to do a survey and see how development programs are being implemented, how they have grown up to what extent of the people are connected. It is vital since it is the time for a change and challenges. We are confident that we will fulfil the challenges in due time,” he said.

“Sri Lanka has a great heritage of architects from ancient times and the Dagobas and reservoirs in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and in other historical places are witness to the skills of our forefathers. Perhaps there were architects who had won awards for their creations and who had a good reputation worldwide where they have built and drew on our own culture, heritage and lifestyle,” Wickramanayake said.

Sri Lanka Institute of Architects Presidents Chandana Edirisuriya said this year’s theme is very timely since architects have an important role to play in the construction industry.

“With the climate change, it has drawn the attention of the whole world to act now in a holistic manner. As architects we must be innovative and consider with taking the maximum from the natural resources such as in our value creation.

Green revolution must be done in a novel concept while being sustainable by the design. This is an opportunity for architects to showcase how our creations will benefit mankind,” he said.