The ultimate target of the National Constructors Association of Sri Lanka (NCASL) is to elevate the construction industry to contribute to helping build the nation. NCASL President Dr. Rohan Karunaratne said while the construction industry is rapidly developing in Sri Lanka, it requires not only a corporate plan but also short-term strategies and programmes to meet the endless demands that continuously arise.
"My first task on being elected Chairman of the NCASL therefore, was to formulate a 3-year plan in order to make the discerning stakeholders of the construction-industry that include the clients, the public sector institutions and donor agencies well aware of the future plans as well as the credibility of the NCASL ahead of any construction deals," Dr. Karunaratne said, in a statement issued by the NCASL. Most of the proposals of the 3-year plan which started in August, 2007 and endorsed by the membership are already being implemented.

Dr. Karunaratne said a vital sector he dealt with is the issue of bonds and guarantees, an area which had caused much heartburn to the contractors due to the difficulties they face in obtaining bank guarantees, advance payments and other bonds from Banks and other institutions for construction purposes. Negotiations therefore have been made and a scheme formulated with these financial institutions to simplify this process.

He hopes to introduce an integrated Data Bank for the construction industry and its related activities which would incorporate information that would benefit the NCASL membership, the government and other stakeholders. The Data Bank would also contain information on construction projects pipelined in the public and the private sectors, international construction news, the contribution of the construction industry towards the national economy and human resource requirements.

The NCASL set up the Advanced Construction Training Academy (ACTA) this year in its new seven story building at Battaramulla offering advanced technical and managerial training courses for managerial grades for the first time. The NCASL also offers craftsmen training at Handswerk Centre at Payagala in carpentry and plumbing for employees in companies and those seeking employment in these areas.
Dr. Karunaratne added that the vision of these centres is to develop the human resources of member companies in order to raise the quality of the construction industry and all related occupations in addition to enabling companies to retain skilled personnel. (NG)