Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL), a team lead by National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA) and Urban Development Authority (UDA) is in the process of development of a Unified National Building Code for Sri Lanka. Accordingly, as per the request of GoSL team, the World Bank initiated a Technical Assistance to conceptualize the Sri Lankan Building Code and the conceptualization phase to conclude in December 2023. The conceptualization of Sri Lankan Building Code to be performed along with reviewing current building approval process and reviewing existing capacity of officials and practitioners with the consultation of wider stakeholder group representing public sector agencies, academia, professional institutions and practitioners. The final validation workshop of the task was successfully conducted by Arup International Projects Limited, the World Bank commissioned technical consultant, on 13th and 14th of December 2023 at the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka. The validation conducted under four phases of the building code conceptualization process as listed below;

1) Setting out code technical requirements

2) Organization of code document delivery

3) Updating approval and enforcement processes

4) Planning awareness raising, training and capacity building

With the conclusion of conceptualization phase of the building code by December 2023, the next step involves the initiation of actual code development with the consultation of all the stakeholders. It is expected to be complete the actual code development within two years of time.

Figures: Final Validation Workshops held in December 2023