Archt. Ranjan Nadesapillai elected new President of SLIA

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) took place on 26 February 2011 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH). The AGM came to pass as one of the many significant components of the ‘Architect 2011’ – the 29th Annual Sessions of the SLIA.

Themed on ‘Architecture for All, City + Community,’ the 2011 session was aimed at exploring aspects of the architect’s role in national development including creating the city for the community and the new issues confronting the architect in fulfilling this task.

The Annual General Meeting saw a renewal of the Council who would provide guidance and leadership for the forthcoming 2011/12 and 2012/13 sessions with Archt. Ranjan Nadesapillai, Senior Vice President for the immediate term taking over office from the current President, Archt. Chandana Edirisuriya. Further, issues on the membership and profession, progresses made up to now and future plans of the SLIA were discussed amidst the membership present at the occasion.  

The SLIA was established in 1957; in 1976 it was incorporated under an Act of Parliament and since then functions as the professional governing body of the Sri Lankan architects. Currently consisting of over 1000 members its primary purpose remains regulating architectural education and practice of the country.

Speaking in relation to the 2011 theme for the sessions, ‘Architecture for All, City + Community’ and the role of SLIA in the community Archt. Chandana Edirisuriya said, “As a professional community we have a lot to offer in services, be it for an individual client, community or country,” while Archt. Ranjan Nadesapillai went on to say, “As an institute we get involved in any national development and as a profession we contribute in whatever way we can.”

The new council members included Archt. Ranjan Nadesapillai, President, Archt. Chandana Edirisuriya, Immediate Past President, Archt. Professor Chitra Weddikkara, Senior Vice President, Archt. Harsha Fernando, Vice President, Archt. D.H. Wijewardena, Honourary Secretary, Archt. Jayanath Silva, Honourary Treasurer, Archt. Revatha Amarasekera, Honourary Assistant Secretary, Archt. Veranjan Kurukulasuriya, Chairman Board of Architectural Education, Archt. Bernard Gomez, Chairman Professional Affairs Board, Archt. Prasanna Silva, Chairman Board of Architectural Publication, Archt. D.B Navaratne, Chairman Board of Management, Archt. Navaratne, Archt. Rohana Bandara Herath, Archt. Jagath Bogahawatte, Archt. Janaka Dharmasena, Archt. Dilummini De Mel, Archt. Herath and Archt. Anton Gajasinghe.  

The Annual Session of 2011 also consisted of a grand Inauguration Ceremony on 23 February, the Work and Trade Exhibition opened to the public on the 24th and continuing till the 27th, the National Conference held on the 24th and a Fellowship Night of celebrations held on the 26th for a festive closing. The SLIA ‘Architect 2011’ was organised in association with Strategic Sponsor Alumex Group, Associate Sponsors True Value Products (Pvt) Ltd and Colourcon (Pvt) Ltd, and Event Sponsors Naveen Ceramics (Pvt) Ltd, Lankem Ltd and Matro Engineering & Construction (Pvt) Ltd.