‘The Way Forward After COVID 19’ for development of industry

The Chairman of the Construction industry Development Authority, Prof. Sohan Wijesekara, working with competent construction industry stakeholders has addressed an important subject that has a great impact on our national economy: “What should be the Construction Industry Way Forward after the COVID-19 outbreak?”

Prof. Sohan Wijesekara

The ‘Way Forward After COVID-19’ is an initiative of the Construction Industry Development Authority, and first of its kind for the industry.

Along with a learned, responsible, and experienced members of the Board of Management, key officials of the institution and members of a recently established Taskforce for the Industry after COVID-19, Prof. Wijesekara nourished his enthusiastic thoughts to evaluate the past experiences, requirements and expectations before identifying the way forward for the construction industry in Sri Lanka.

This report is very important not only for the national economy but also for the construction industry and its stakeholders. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the entire globe and as of today the health authorities and the scientific community are working day and night looking for a medical solution. The Way Forward of CIDA has followed two paths to blend and make recommendations. This effort, while looking at the industry and its value to Sri Lanka’s economy, carefully evaluated the requirements of the construction industry as an effort to build the structural elements. The many stakeholder consultations that were held simultaneously, highlighted the pressing needs, reasons and alternatives as the nuts and bolts of this exercise.

They were then brought together to produce this extensive set of recommendations for the policy makers, the construction industry and the regulator. This comprehensive document was prepared over a three-month period. Meetings were held remotely and physically, all with social physical distancing and adhering to the health regulations. This is a demonstration of the construction industry’s commitment to the sector, our nation and the national productivity.

The recommendations made in the document now require the government to make decisions, the industry to act with responsibility and the regulator to carry out soul searching to ensure the sustainability of the construction industry in the best interest of our nation.

This document can be downloaded free of charge at www.cida.gov.lk

Note: This article was compiled by Eng. S.Amarasekara, Director (Development), Construction Industry Development Authority.