Sanaa:Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence and the National Building Research Institute have initiated a national effort to establish the country’s first National Building Code. This move aims to enhance the safety, quality, sustainability, and disaster resilience of buildings across the nation.
Accourding to Ministry of Defence – Sri Lanka, Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) chaired a meeting regarding this initiative. The meeting included senior officials from the National Building Research Institute, National Planning Department, Urban Development Authority, and Construction Industry Development Authority.
The National Building Research Institute’s project proposal has been approved for implementation from 2026 to 2028, following Cabinet approval granted on October 21, 2025. This project will be managed jointly by key national authorities with input from relevant stakeholders, aiming to create a unified national framework aligned with international best practices while adapting to Sri Lanka’s unique conditions.
Currently, Sri Lanka does not have a single, legally established national building code. Building practices depend on a mix of international standards and local regulations, which can lead to inconsistencies. The new code will address technical areas such as structural safety, fire safety, and sustainability, with mechanisms for compliance and enforcement.
The initiative seeks to consolidate Sri Lanka’s fragmented building regulations and establish mechanisms for consistent application nationwide. It will involve consultations with government, industry, academia, and the public to ensure the code’s relevance and practicality.
A consulting firm will be selected through a competitive process to support the code’s formulation. This process will take 24 months, culminating in the preparation and gazetting of the National Building Code of Sri Lanka. The initiative is funded by the Consolidated Fund, Government of Sri Lanka.
The Ministry of Defence and the National Building Research Institute have called for Expressions of Interest from qualified consultancy firms to take on this important project.