Sri Lanka now one of four RIBA chapters in the world

By Shakya Wickramanayake

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Dr. Roland Silva

The local membership group of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) was officially launched at a ceremony held on August 3 at Westminster House, the residence of the British High Commissioner in Colombo. The group was established under the name ‘RIBA Members Sri Lanka’, and will be the second such membership group to be formed in the Asia Pacific region.

RIBA is a professional membership body for architects, established in 1834 in the UK for the advancement of architecture and is an accrediting body for architecture education around the world. Its current network spans the globe, from the Americas, to Europe, to Asia. It boasts a global membership of over 42,000. Both the University of Moratuwa and the City School of Architecture have received accreditation from RIBA.

The British High Commissioner James Dauris commenting on the educational ties between Sri Lanka and the UK, stated that he believes the inauguration of RIBA members Sri Lanka will draw the two nations closer together.

British High Commissioner James Dauris

Deshamanya Dr. Roland Silva, Chancellor of the University of Moratuwa, was the chief guest at the event. Dr. Silva is the oldest distinguished RIBA Member in Sri Lanka. At the event he recalled how he together with then Chief Architect of the Government Justin Samarasekera, established the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Moratuwa. He stated that it was with the guidance of RIBA that the University succeeded in establishing high international and professional standards in their architectural course.

Nela de Zoysa, Chairperson for RIBA Members Sri Lanka, thanked the President of the RIBA, Jane Duncan for affording Sri Lanka the opportunity to be one of four RIBA chapters in the world. She stated that with RIBA’s international stature she has no doubt that the chapter will soon have more architects joining it. De Zoysa is also the first Sri Lankan to be on RIBA’s international council.

The President of RIBA, Jane Duncan took this opportunity to felicitate Archt. Harsha Fernando with a RIBA Presidential Medal for the contributions made whilst he was the president of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects. Fernando who was unable to attend the ceremony in London due to health issues stated “ I am speechless here today for the honour bestowed upon me by one of the oldest international institutes in the world.”

The RIBA Vice President Nations & Regions and Membership Antony Clerici, and Head of International Chapters for RIBA Chloe Sadler, were also present at the event in Colombo.