The 18th Annual General Meeting of the Chamber of Construction Industry of Sri Lanka (CCI) was held on August 2 at the Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo with full Committee attendance and membership representation.

The Secretary General Col. (Retd) Nissanka N. Wijeratne observed that in spite of a turbulent year (2021) and downturn of economy the Chamber has done well enough to record a modest surplus in the year under 
review : financially.

He noted some highlights especially about acquiring land for a permanent Secretariat for the Chamber & also subsequent to the incorporation of the Chamber by Act of Parliament in 2019 the “Rules of Management” were gazzeted on the 17th of March 2021.

During this period, the Chamber was able to intervene with the government to facilitate all contracts over 3 months to be granted price escalations on projects during the Covid-19 lockdown period up to a limit of 20 percent of 
contract sum.  

During the period under review, a Presidential Committee was appointed to de-regulate and simplify the existing laws & regulations, and the Chamber President & CEO were made members of this commission. A key recommendation of this commission was enabling a construction project to commence operations 3 weeks after submitting preliminary documents to the Urban Development Authority.  The incoming President Arc. Jayantha Perera outlined his vision for his term of office emphasizing the visibility, acceptance & presence of the Chamber both locally & regionally.  He also mooted a “Construction Policy Task Force” to upgrade quality in construction & bring in systematic training & certification into the industry. 

He mentioned his keenness to enroll young members into the fold and drive the organization through Information Technology. He pledged to do his best to excel on behalf of the industry. 

The outgoing President made some acute observations about the workings of the industry & bemoaned the lackadaisical attitude of the political leadership in not utilizing the industry as a driver of growth & also lethargy of the bureaucracy.  He thanked his Board & Council & staff members for their unstinted support & cooperation during 
his stewardship.