Business Times

Building approvals take 3 months to 3 years in Colombo

By Quintus Perera

Seeking approval for a building in Colombo could take anything between three months to three years, a Colombo builder says. Priyantha Perera, Chairman, National Construction Association of Sri Lanka, responding to questions during a news conference on the Construct 2010 Exhibition that will be held on August 13 to 15 at the BMICH, said approvals are (often) delayed at the Colmbo Municipal Council than at other authorities like the Urban Development Authority.

A similar concern was expressed recently by Central Bank Governor Ajit Nivard Cabraal. Addressing the Sunday Times Business Club monthly meeting in May, he said there are a lot of inefficiencies when it comes to starting and maintaining businesses in securing permits and getting water and electricity connections. In the construction industry for example, there are about 22 required procedures from when a project is started to its completion which takes about 214 days. Mr. Cabraal said the government is trying to simplify those procedures to put the onus on the agencies to respond to the applicants.

At this week’s briefing to reporters, Mr Perera said that they preferred a procedure where all approvals could be obtained in three months and are having discussions with the government on these issues. He said that the tempo of the construction industry is progressing and things would be better in 2011, though construction contractors still find it difficult to compete with the foreign contractors especially in mega projects.

He said that they do not need foreign contractors for certain projects but they are placed at a very difficult situation as they are unable to compete with even the Chinese contractors. Priyal Wijayagunawardena, Chairman Construct 2010 Organizing Committee said that there will be more than 260 stalls and expected increased participation from Singapore, India and Pakistan.

Top to the page  |  E-mail  |  views[1]
SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend
 
Other Business Times Articles
UN office siege could hurt Lanka’s rating prospects
CCI suggests Land Bank in Sri Lanka
Harry ends alliance with Sampath
SriLankan Airlines prepares to roll out new business plan
Lanka IOC seeks fuel price hike
Building approvals take 3 months to 3 years in Colombo
Academics, professionals rally against UN, EU decisions
Comment - Dependency on trade concessions
Feature - Present status of the Sethusamudram Project
Feature - GSP +: Some misunderstandings and under standings
Sri Lanka increases exports and imports
Dian enthrals Sri Lankan business women professionals with dynamic thoughts
International Widows Day marked in Hambantota
Lankan Govt. calls for more investment at CCC Economic Summit
French aid to fund next 10 LOLC North and East branches
Sri Lankan gets top award at Intel fair
Sri Lanka soon to stop exports that add no value: Treasury Secretary
ODEL IPO oversubscribed by 63.8 times
IFL-CIFL demand CB to protect their deposits
Commercial Bank offers cash prizes to customers using Internet Banking
Despite GSP crisis, EU funds other Lankan projects
Legend in tourism: The story of P.A. Ediriweera and Ceylon Tours
No 'working poor' in plantations but misuse of income mostly on alcohol
Primary eye care and spectacles for children
Emirates launches daily services from Colombo to Singapore
Ceylinco Life constructs 11 classrooms under its CSR initiatives
207 UK companies, worth US$ 429 million now in SL
SEC seeks to regulate Share Option schemes
Less than 10% of Sri Lankans insured: Top industry official
SEC says one firm – out of 10 probes - taken to court last year
Feature - Labour unions concerned US GSP may be withdrawn
Feature - No deadline on resolution of US GSP complaint
Feature - BT Poll: Sri Lankans urge government to continue GSP+ dialogue

 

 
Reproduction of articles permitted when used without any alterations to contents and a link to the source page.
© Copyright 2010 | Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka. All Rights Reserved.| Site best viewed in IE ver 6.0 @ 1024 x 768 resolution