IQSSL Annual Forum 2019 Highlights Creating ‘Local Identity in Global Reality’
- All
- Speakers
- Audience
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Speaker
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Ch. QS. Lalith Ratnayake, IQSSL President
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Distinguished audience member interaction
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A highly participative audience
IQSSL Annual Forum 2019 Highlights Creating ‘Local Identity in Global Reality’
The Institute of Quantity Surveyors Sri Lanka (IQSSL), the apex body for the Quantity Surveying profession in Sri Lanka, successfully held its Annual Forum recently at Jaic Hilton Hotel, Colombo. Over 300 decision makers, intellectuals, and professionals in the construction industry attended this grand event that was held under the theme of “Local Identity in Global Reality – Protectionism vs. Globalism.” Mr. Thilan Wijesinghe, the Chairman of National Agency for Public Private Partnership and former Chairman of the BOI, graced the occasion as the Key Note Speaker.
In his thought provoking speech that was commended by all the participants, Mr. Wijesinghe highlighted that ‘local identity’ cannot be created by being too protective and globalism helped many countries to create its own local identity as well as to strengthen their own economies. He emphasised that global outlook and local know-how together with communication will make businesses succeed. Mr. Wijesinghe further articulated with detailed examples that the secret of success in many developed economies is ‘knowhow through human mobility’ and that Sri Lankans should view immigration of skilled expatriates with a positive frame of mind. Even though Sri Lanka is highly affected by the brain drain, Mr. Wijesinghe is of the opinion that we should reverse the situation and use the Brain Migration to create identities for local industries. If channeled properly the benefits of globalism will far outweigh the benefits from protectionism.
In addition to the Key Note Speech the event included a discussion forum where many dignitaries and intellectuals from the construction industry expressed their opinion on the above theme. The participants highlighted that Sri Lankan construction industry has the required skilled professionals, contractors and intellects who can drive the industry to the next level of development to create a local identity. However, the policies and regulations must be put forward to encourage such local capabilities while protecting their interests where required.
In conjunction with the Annual Forum, IQSSL held its Annual General Meeting and appointed a new governing council for the year 2019/20 where Ch. QS. Lalith Ratnayake was newly appointed as the President of the IQSSL. Ch. QS. Prof. Mrs. Kanachana Perera was appointed as the Vice President while Ch.QS. Senarath Wettasinghe and Ch. QS. Mr. Indunil Seneviratne was appointed as the Secretary and Treasurer respectively.
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