NCASL, ACTA organize symposium on ‘sustainable construction’

A thought provoking symposium on Sustainable Construction was recently facilitated at the National Construction Association of Sri Lanka auditorium, which was jointly organized by the National Construction Association of Sri Lanka (NCASL), Advanced Construction Training Academy (ACTA), Construction Industry Skill Council (CISC), Maga Engineering, Holcim Lanka and World University Service of Canada (WUSC). 

With the objective of promoting quality assurance and sustainable development in the construction industry, the Symposium featured a list of renowned speakers, including dignitaries, senior management and engineers. The symposium attracted industry representatives coming from all over the country which included contractors, construction professionals and specialists. A wide range of topics were covered including green construction, innovation to training of construction craftsmen and how to safeguard the contractors profit etc.

During the symposium, World University Services of Canada’s Advancing Specialized Skills for Economic Transformation (ASSET) model on training youth was shared by Fenton Ltd, as they have implemented this model successfully in training and engaging youth at Fentons.  ASSET aims to train youth and women in the 4 major growth sectors of Sri Lanka including construction sector.  ASSET is a five-year project that will increase the income potential of 4,000 young men and women from all social backgrounds by supporting equitable employment in the expanding trades and technology sectors. The project, implemented by WUSC in eleven districts of Sri Lanka, spans four provinces (North, North West, East and South).  An eminent panel of industry experts, business leaders and prominent personalities addressed the gathered which included Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha – Chairman TVEC (Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission), NCASL Chairman - Deshamanya Sunil Liyanarachchi, Architect  Milinda  Pathiraja PhD,  Ruan Abhayaratne - Director / Head of HR, Fentons Ltd, Eng. B.H.S. Suraweera from MYASD,  The Sustainable Future Group  Manager Glenn Sonntag, Chathura Welivitiya of Helpo Eco Green, Chartered Quantity Surveyor Mrs Nilmini Thilakarathna, and FJ L Felix of Dockyard General Engineering Services.

Attendees also discussed government and private sector initiatives towards a sustainable Sri Lanka as well as strategies and the latest innovations to enable decision makers to come together and proactively develop solutions to the existing challenges in the local construction market.
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(L-R): Kishor Hameed, Head of Sustainability – Maga Construction (Pvt) Ltd, Eng. Ashoka Jayasinghe, Director – ACTA, Deepthi Lamahewa, Deputy Programme Director – WUSC, Deshamanya S. P. Liyanarachchi, Chairman – NCASL, ACTA, UCCT & CISC, W. K. K. Athukorala, Secretary – Ministry of Housing and Construction, Dr. T A G Gunasekara, Chairman – CIDA, Charlotte Boutboul, CSR Manager – Holcim Lanka,and a WUSC representative, at the Symposium on Sustainable Construction