Ranawaka calls for construction industry to go green

From left: Reliable Center Chairman Shahnawaz Mohideen, Elite Radio and Engineering CEO Suren Kundanmal, MAGA Engineering Chairman Capt. M. G. Kularatne, Ceylon Institute of Builders President Dr. Rohan Karunaratne, Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, Construction Expo Organizing Committee Chairperson Prof. Chitra Weddikkara, Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services (LECS) Managing Director Arjun Dharmadasa, LECS CEO Aasim Mukthar, Jlanka Technologies Marketing Manager Srinath Dolage and Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA) Chairman Eng. M. R. Jayachandran

By Safna Malik 

Megapolis and Western Development Minister Champika Ranawaka yesterday called on the construction industry to focus and expand on green construction as Government policy would promote this concept in future projects including the Port City venture. 

Speaking at the seventh edition of Construction Expo 2018, Ranawaka emphasised all institutions under his Ministry as well as others linked with construction would be urged to concentrate on green buildings to conserve natural resources and maintain sustainability in the industry. The expo will be held on 29 and 30 June and 1 July at the BMICH. 

“I request all professionals to adopt the green concept for construction. In terms of building and infrastructure projects, as Minister of Megapolis and Western Development I always insist to all institutions under our Ministry on the need to launch a green building master plan and if we are late with this we cannot widen the green construction development projects in 2017 and plan more green market certified projects in2018,” he said. 

He also noted that over 60% of the land reclamation of the Port City has been completed and the Chinese company backing the venture had agreed to adopt green construction for reclamation work. This would enable the project to continue growing and maintain a sustainable environment in green building and infrastructure development, he assured. 

“Once the project is completed in 2025 I believe that investors will see the financial advantage of green buildings as one way to create long lasting construction and save money in the process. Green buildings are also a safer credit risk.” 

Sri Lanka is ready for the next leap in green construction and paves the way for this form of building to become the new norm. The Minister also said the Urban Development Authority (UDA) was working to eventually enforce green building and development infrastructure norms for all development projects in the island.

“I request all professional academics here to find ways to expand on this effort and develop construction techniques that will be more competitive with traditional construction. We will launch light railway projects in key seven corridors in Colombo. The first one from Kaduwela to Pettah will commence this year and the solid waste management project in Aruwakaru has already commenced. All these projects will follow green norms. Now as a nation we should consider more green building.” 

A 50-member high profile delegation, led by the Business Department of Liaoning Province and Shenyang Zhongiao International exhibition, will arrive in Colombo to attend Construction Expo 2018.

The objective of the visit is to actively promote economic and trade cooperation between Sri Lanka and the Liaoning region of China. A powerful group with large enterprises in the subordinate seven cities from the Liaoning Province will be showcasing construction materials, hardware fittings, ceramics, aluminium alloy material and bedding as well as other materials at the event.