CIOB key conference on Western Region Megapolis Development Plan on March 10

A key conference on the Western Region Megapolis Development Plan organised by the Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) will be held on March 10 at 4:30 p.m. at Galadari Hotel Colombo. The keynote address will be delivered by Megapolis and Western Development Ministry Western Region Megapolis Planning Project Director/Team Leader Lakshman Jayasekera. Jayasekera served as Director-General of the National Physical Planning Department/Urban Development Authority (UDA) and President of the Institute of Town Planners (ITPSL).

The core objective of this seminar is to impart wider knowledge and give greater exposure to players in Sri Lanka’s building industry on modern and alluring creative concepts within a global economic context. The focus will be primarily on creating awareness on ‘development of physical and institutional infrastructure, industrial and economic structure keeping in line with knowledge-based and innovative global economic setting with small cities.” Speaking on the Western Region Megapolis Development Plan, CIOB President Dr. Rohan Karunaratne said that those actively involved in the building industry has placed immense trust and faith on this initiative.

The Western Region Megapolis Development Plan is a long-term, 15-year duration project. Under this ambitious plan, it is envisaged that the government segment will undertake construction work to the value of Rs.1 billion in 2016, while the private sector is expected to handle to complete work to the value of Rs.2 billion during the same period.

The CIOB was established in 1961 by a most illustrious group of engineers and builders of Sri Lanka. It was a very active organisation which contributed cohesive systems to the construction industry. The CIOB has been revived with the same objectives and adding a few more to address the problems faced by the building industry today: develop and disseminate the science and technology of modern building practices to assist all builders by means of seminars and workshops with inputs from specialist national and international resource persons, promote competencies and standards of practice for the builders to reach professional status, act to improve conditions affecting the industry, with a view to expanding the industry, which will include seeking opportunities for contracts overseas. Through its international affiliations, the CIOB will seek to use its influence to attract investments to the construction industry.