Urgent reform to government regulations is necessary for construction industry: Ruwan De Silva

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the inauguration ceremony of CONSTRUCT 2018. Also pictured: CONSTRUCT 2018 Organising Committee Chairman Ruwan De Silva (left) and National Construction Association of Sri Lanka (NCASL) Chairman Athula Priyantha Galagoda (right)

Tudawe Brothers Ltd. Director Jaikish Tudawe presenting Certification of appreciation to a stall holder at CONSTRUCT 2018. Also pictured: NCASL Chairman Athula Priyantha Galagoda and CONSTRUCT 2018 Organising Committee Chairman Ruwan De Silva

The 18th edition of Sri Lanka’s largest, most successful and prestigious construction exhibition, CONSTRUCT 2018, was held from 24-26 August at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial International Exhibition Centre.

The exhibition was ceremoniously inaugurated by the Chief Guest Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on 24 August at the exhibition venue. Housing and Construction Minister Sajith Premadasa and Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardena graced the occasion as Guests of Honour.

CONSTRUCT 2018 Organising Committee Chairman Ruwan De Silva delivered the welcome address. In his speech, he lamented the problems faced by the construction industry as a result of outdated policies and regulations.

While expressing his happiness that there were many large-scale development projects being implemented in the country, he pointed out that the local contractors face severe hardships due to some of the outdated rules and regulations and ad hoc practices adopted by the Government ministries. He pointed out that this is one of the main reasons for the frequent payment delays and cash flow problems faced by the local contractors, consultants and the supply chain in the industry.

He further went on to state: “The current procurement procedures and methods and the ‘Conditions of Contract’ currently used in the public and private sectors are disadvantageous to local contractors, especially when they have to face competition from Chinese companies in Sri Lanka. According to the report issued by the Finance Ministry, half of the Government development projects managed under the line Ministries have not even achieved 50% of the Quarter 1 targets. As it is evident from this, the Government is facing challenges in achieving its development targets. We are of the view that apart from labour shortage and low productivity in the industry, rules and regulations and procurement procedures adopted by the Ministries are the main causes for this delay in implementing development projects. This problem is further aggravated by delays in decision making and inefficient policymaking.”

He earnestly appealed to the Prime Minister and Housing and Construction Minister to look into these matters, and to seriously address these strategically important concerns for the construction industry and country.

Housing and Construction Minister Sajith Premadasa visiting the exhibition stalls

The team behind the success of CONSTRUCT 2018 

The theme of the CONSTRUCT 2018 exhibition was “Inno-Smart Sri Lanka”. The exhibition itself lived up to its reputation as the largest construction exhibition in the country. It covered an exhibition area of more than 35,000 square feet for over 350 exhibitors, and attracted more than 40,000 local and international visitors, comprised of manufacturers, service providers, contractors, developers, architects, quantity surveyors, engineers, consultants, buyers and industrial professionals from the construction industry.

The exhibition provided the exhibitors with enormous opportunities to introduce their latest technologies, launch their new products and solutions, network with potential buyers and gain valuable insight in to the Sri Lankan construction market place. Visitors at the exhibition were able to view all aspects in construction and infrastructure development,   including even the smallest component to the heavy machinery and equipment and gain substantial knowledge and awareness of the latest technology.

Awareness program conducted by an exhibitor at CONSTRUCT 2018

The extremely satisfied Organising Committee Chairman Ruwan De Silva mentioned: “We are delighted to report that 16 organisations have volunteered to sponsor the event, demonstrating the effectiveness of the exhibition. We thank all of our sponsors and especially Platinum sponsors Alumex and Gold sponsors Rhino Roofing. We are also thankful to 350 stall holders who took up stalls at the exhibition.”

The CONSTRUCT exhibition is an annual event organised by the National Construction Association of Sri Lanka (NCASL) since 1994. NCASL is the main association representing and giving leadership to the construction industry in Sri Lanka.