MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF SRI LANKA INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS

After two years as the President, I am very much pleased to send a message for the Inauguration Ceremony.

Since I took over as the President, many new initiatives were taken to have more contact with the Allied Professionals and get the Membership more attached to the Institute and also to get more members exposed to foreign functions, conferences etc. which have produced good results as more and more members are rallying around SLIA for these types of activities.

When it comes to foreign affairs, SLIA has become more professionally active in the region during this Session. One of the prominent features was that members from other countries getting to know us well and contacts were established for joint action in the Asian region. When the Architects Asian Cup Cricket Matches were organized last year, architects within the region came to Sri Lanka and now this has been an annual event.

With regard to professional matters, SLIA was in the forefront to give guidance to the activities of the Government and to elevate the Profession by participating at discussions with His Excellency the President, the Hon. Prime Minister and also with relevant institutions like the Urban Development Authority, Construction Industry Development Authority and also the University Grants Commission. A new type of procurement system has emerged and SLIA has worked towards professionalism in such matters.

The Inauguration is the opening ceremony of a series of activities which are planned annually for this time of the year. The SLIA Exhibition has added many new features and therefore participation will be greater than in previous years and the National Conference will have many foreign speakers with the Conference themed EMERGENCE: Entrepreneurial

Architect. Finally, at the Annual General Meeting a new Council will be elected for the next two years which will happen at the end of a series of ceremonies and activities.

Having completed two years as President, I am pleased to hand over the Presidency to my successor who will take SLIA to further heights. Archt. D. H. Wijewardene, FIA (SL)

BSC. (B.E.), MSC. (Arch.)