It gives me great pleasure to extend my warmest greetings to all participants, award recipients, partners, sponsors, researchers, academics, industry professionals, and distinguished guests who contributed to the remarkable success of the 14th World Construction Symposium (WCS 2026) and the Sri Lankan Sustainability Awards (SSA) 2026.
The year 2026 marked another significant milestone for the Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) as we successfully hosted two flagship initiatives that continue to elevate Sri Lanka’s construction industry and sustainability agenda. The 14th World Construction Symposium, jointly organized with the Building Economics and Management Research Unit (BEMRU), Department of Building Economics, University of Moratuwa, brought together researchers, academics, policymakers, and industry professionals from around the world under the theme ‘Towards a Regenerative Built Environment: From Foresight to Action.’ The symposium served as an international platform for sharing research, innovation, and practical solutions to address the future challenges of the built environment.
Complementing the symposium, the Sri Lankan Sustainability Awards (SSA) 2026 celebrated organizations and individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to sustainability, innovation, responsible leadership, and environmental stewardship. Through this national recognition programme, we have acknowledged exemplary achievements across a diverse range of industries, inspiring organizations to integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into their strategies and operations.
The success of SSA 2026 reflects the growing commitment of Sri Lankan organizations to sustainable development and responsible business practices. It is truly encouraging to witness the enthusiasm with which organizations have embraced sustainability as a strategic priority, contributing to economic growth while safeguarding our environment and creating positive social impact.
On behalf of the Ceylon Institute of Builders, I extend my sincere appreciation to our distinguished Jury Panel, led by Prof. Dr. H. Lilaknath Obeyesekera, for their professionalism, expertise, and unwavering commitment to maintaining a transparent, independent, and credible evaluation process. Their dedication has ensured that every recognition presented at SSA 2026 truly reflects excellence.
I also wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Government Ministries that endorsed this initiative, our valued sponsors, partners, media organizations, academic institutions, industry stakeholders, and every organization that submitted nominations and participated in both WCS 2026 and SSA 2026. Your confidence and support have been instrumental in making these events a resounding success.
I would also like to place on record our appreciation to Mr. Sagara Gunawardana, Chairman and Managing Director of Saga Group, whose extensive research, creativity, and dedication led to the conceptual development of the Sri Lankan Sustainability Awards (SSA). Following discussions with the leadership of the Ceylon Institute of Builders, this vision evolved into a nationally recognized platform that today celebrates sustainability excellence across multiple sectors of Sri Lanka.
As we celebrate the achievements of 2026, we also look forward to expanding both the World Construction Symposium and the Sri Lankan Sustainability Awards in the years ahead. We remain committed to strengthening international collaboration, promoting research and innovation, recognizing sustainability leadership, and advancing the construction industry’s contribution toward a more resilient and sustainable future.
Together, let us continue to build not only stronger infrastructure but also a stronger, greener, and more sustainable Sri Lanka.