Election of new council at SLIA Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) was held on 23 February 2013 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH). The AGM was part of’Architect 2013’, the 31st annual sessions of the SLIA.

The annual sessions held this year was based on the theme ‘Think Smart – Innovative Enterprise Architecture’, which emphasised on the need for looking beyond the traditional role of architecture. The theme introduced a novel approach by presenting the architect as an individual who could visualise, generate and create projects that are financially and socially beneficial to the country.

The Annual General Meeting of 2013 witnessed the election of the new council of SLIA. The term of the newly elected office bearers and council members are two years and one year respectively. Archt. Ranjan Nadesapillai stepped down as the President of SLIA while Professor Chitra Wedikkara, Senior Vice President of SLIA was inducted as the President for the coming two years, 2013/14 and 2014/15.

The induction of Professor Wedikkara marked a new chapter for SLIA as she is the first lady president in its history. Her versatile portfolio comprises of experience as the Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Moratuwa, Head of the Department of Building Economics, President of the Institute of Quantity Surveying Sri Lanka, Vice President of the Chamber of Construction Industry and the Chairperson of the RICS Chapter in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, she is currently the President of  the Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy (CASLE) and the Dean/Academic Director of the Colombo School of Construction Technology.

The annual report, which reviewed the progress of the Institute in depth, was also presented at the AGM. In addition, issues pertaining to the membership, profession, and future plans of the SLIA were discussed in detail. In line with the Member’s Trade and Work Exhibition held in Kandy in 2012, the members also discussed developing their objective of taking architecture to other regions in Sri Lanka. CSR activities such as aiding the Wickramasinghepura Elders’ Home run by the Municipal Council were also given much prominence during the discussions.

Speaking about the AGM Archt. Nadesapillai, outgoing President of SLIA said: “Now the new council members have taken over and with their guidance we hope to continue our CSR activities and take architecture to more regions in the coming year as well.”

The SLIA was established in 1957 and was incorporated under an Act of Parliament in 1976. Since then, it has functioned as the professional governing body of Sri Lankan architects. With over 1000 members, the primary purpose of SLIA is the regulation of architectural education and practice in Sri Lanka. In addition to the AGM, the 31st annual sessions of the SLIA included an inauguration ceremony, the national conference, a Members’ Work and Trade Exhibition and a Fellowship Nite for a festive closing. The Architect 2013 was organised by SLIA together with the support of their strategic sponsor Alumex (Pvt) Ltd, associate sponsor NiroGranite from Ranjanas Ceramic and the main sponsor for the National Conference PhoenixFlowGuard.

The Fellowship Nite was sponsored by Charter House and Lankem Robbialac. The co-sponsors of the event were Castle Builders, Asoka Glass Co., Delmege Forsyth & Co. Ltd. and Bluscope Lysaght.

SLIA Council for 2013/14

Professor Chitra Wedikkara, President, Archt. Ranjan Nadesapillai, Immediate Past President, Archt. Harsha Fernando, Senior Vice President, Archt. D.H. Wijewardena, Vice President, Archt. Veranjan Kurukulasuriya, Honorary Secretary, Archt. S.N.B. Gomez, Honorary Assistant Secretary, Archt. Russell Dandeniya, Honorary Treasurer, Archt. Dilummini De Mel, Honorary Assistant Treasurer, Archt. Michele Fonseka, Fellow Member, Archt. Peshali Perera, Fellow Member, Archt. Salinda Rathugama, Associate Member, Archt. Muditha Premathilaka, Associate Member, Archt. Chinthaka Nikapitiya, Associate Member, Archt. Damith Premathilake, Associate Member, Archt. Jayatissa Herath, Associate Member, Archt. Upendra Randeniya, Chairman of Professional Affairs Board, Archt. Janaka Dharmasena, Chairman of the Board of Architectural Education and Archt. Ravin Guneratne, Chairman of the Board of Architectural Publications. The Chairman of the Board of Management and Registered Member of Council are to be appointed. The above two positions will be made at the first council meeting for 2013/14.