SLIA calls govt. to maintain policy to prioritise local architects
Local architects renewed their call to the government asking to be put first before foreign architects, and stressed the need to have in place a national policy for the construction sector to protect their position.
Speaking on behalf of local architects, Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) President D.H. Wijewardene said the government must give preference to local architects first and doing so will help progress the construction industry.
“It is the local stakeholders who must be involved in developing the construction industry. It must be locals first and then foreign architects. This is what happens in other countries but unfortunately in Sri Lanka it is not the case,” said Wijewardene while addressing the Foxhouze Architecture Xtudio conference in Colombo earlier this week.
Taking the case of China, he pointed out the country requires all foreign architects to tie up with a local company when involved in projects. The said policy in China has helped improve their construction sector, making them one of the finest in the region.
Wijewardena suggested Sri Lanka take up a similar approach where foreign architects would be required to form joint ventures with locals when rendering their services. Doing so according to the chief, will help in knowledge transfer and uplift the sector.
He pointed out that currently local architects are leaving the country looking for better opportunities and have been successful in bagging projects. He questioned, if Lankan architects can be valued elsewhere, why not in Sri Lanka. Eventually them moving out will lead to a hue and cry about brain drain, which could have been avoided, noted Wijewardene.
“If we are to develop and help the sector progress, local architects must be given due attention. Prioritise us if the industry has to reach greater heights,” he said.
Comparing to regional peers, including India, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, Sri Lanka has high construction costs. While a large proportion of the costs is attribute to raw material imports which are taxed, architects quoting higher margins is said to add to the cost.
Local architects typically quote six percent margin as professional fee whereas in India, it is only two percent.