News

Majority of buildings not user-friendly, says chartered architect

More than 60 percent of buildings in Sri Lanka mainly in the private sector including supermarkets, banks and toilets are not designed by professionally qualified architects, said Professor Harsha Munasinghe, chartered architect and acting Dean and Head of Moratuwa University’s Department of Architecture.

Dr Ajith C. S. Perera speaking
at the event

He said so at a programme organized by IDIRIYA, a non-profit organization focusing on disability rights and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) to highlight the importance of designing and constructing buildings in accordance of design specifications, standards and regulations now in force towards social inclusion.

Disability activist and accessibility advisor Dr Ajith C. S. Perera said designers and building owners disregard the specified standards set by the Supreme Court in 2009 October and further strengthened in last April, thereby posing safety hazards to everyone, especially to pregnant women, senior citizens, visually impaired persons and those recovering after surgery and illnesses.

Dr. Perera highlighted how a pregnant woman recently had a near fatal fall at the newest outlet of a leading supermarket chain in Colombo. “It was revealed that the root causes here are the failure of owners in their moral duties, social responsibilities and legal obligations to adhere to specifications and design for safety and accessibility – two inherent rights of all citizens,” he said.

“It is detrimental that laws in force are ineffective allowing the owners, designers and builders who are violators of standards and regulations are still allowed to go scot-free whilst the victims suffer, even with their precious lives” revealed Dr. Perera .

Visit | Supreme Court judgment on petition filed by Dr. Ajith Perera

Top to the page  |  E-mail  |  views[1]
SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend
 
Other News Articles
India wants police and land powers for PCs
Premadasa threatened to commit suicide, says former Indian envoy in new book
Ministers to lobby NAM support
Maldives restricts repatriation of foreign currency
Lanka fires off protest note over Amos statement
Switzerland, Canada reject protest
Gift of Dhamma surpasses all other gifts
Sri Lankans wronged by a denial of their right to know
Vesak messages
TNA has doubts about second chamber proposal
UNP goes public with its dirty linen as influential group within renews power struggle
The attraction of a rewarding job
Second opinion on Indian fisherman’s death
Majority of buildings not user-friendly, says chartered architect
Rising COL takes light out of Vesak
I never made any statement bringing discredit to the Army: Fonseka
Allowances of Corporation heads doubled to Rs. 90,000
Australia-bound boat people will only end up in Malaysia
Tough action against Indian fishermen caught poaching - Fisheries Ministry
Controversial pension bill will be debated in June
International stars here for International Buddhist Film Festival
Counsel queries legality of Press Council to inquire into complaint against ST article
SL media associations vehemently oppose govt.-appointed Press Council
Bogus police duo caught after series of robberies
MPs ask where KP’s ships and gold are
Stalemate over varsity teachers salary demands
Balapatabendi to head Bribery Commission
Installation of the 15th Bishop of Colombo
No sound can they hear, but dance they did
Road safety decade begins: Focus on five key areas
Limited progress on investigations into child recruitment - UNICEF
Food fears return: 3b. forced to stomach

 

 
Reproduction of articles permitted when used without any alterations to contents and a link to the source page.
© Copyright 1996 - 2011 | Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka. All Rights Reserved | Site best viewed in IE ver 8.0 @ 1024 x 768 resolution