President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasised that Sri Lanka has demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing climate change goals.
Going forward, Sri Lankan architects will play a pivotal role in this
endeavour.
They will need to integrate climate change criteria into their designs, ensuring that the built environment aligns with sustainable and environmentally responsible practices. Integrating sustainable and environmentally conscious practices into our architectural designs will be instrumental in achieving our climate goals ahead of the set timeline. Also, together, we can build a resilient and environmentally friendly future for Sri Lanka, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change and protect our
planet for generations to come.
The President further mentioned prominent examples of significant architectural achievements, such as the grand dagobas, including Ruwanwelisaya, Abhayagiri, and Jetavanaramaya, as well as iconic structures like Sigiriya, which stands as a prime example of exceptional architecture recognised worldwide. These architectural marvels are further exemplified by the structures found in Polonnaruwa.
Notably, even during a period of decline, architectural endeavours persevered, as evidenced by theexpansion of the Dalada Maligawa, featuring its octagonal design, and the construction of the KandyLake under the reign of the last king
President Wickremesinghe further stressed that throughout history, Sri Lanka has showcased itsarchitectural prowess, evident in remarkable structures like the Trinity College Chapel and KelaniyaVihara, the Lake House building, Peradeniya University, Independence Square, and the Art Gallery, among others
others.
The iconic Parliament building, designed by Jeffrey Bawa, has added to this rich architectural heritage.
The President emphasised that if remarkable architectural feats were accomplished in 2,000 or 1,000 years,There is no reason why the same level of excellence cannot be achieved in the present and the future.
The responsibility to create a lasting impact through architecture was entrusted to the Architects.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe made these remarks at an international conference on architecture. which was organised by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Chapter in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Italian Embassy of Sri Lanka, onthe theme “Architecture: A Lasting Impact,” held this morning (05) at Cinnamon Grand, Colombo.
The vision to transform Colombo into a beautiful city is already in motion, with plans provided by Surbana Jurong. Similar plans have been prepared for Trincomalee, aiming to enhance the development. in that region as well. Additionally, Surbana Jurong is actively involved in creating a tourist zone.
Verugal Aru to the Batticaloa and Arugam Bay areas, contributing to the growth of the tourism industry.