JAT pioneers Building Specifiers’ Conference 2017

From left: Eng. Samitha Jayakody - International Construction Consortium; Past President Archt. Prof Chitra Weddikkara - Dean Colombo School of Construction Technology; Architect Channa Daswatte from MICD Associates; Archt. Hiten Sethi - Principal, Hiten Sethi Architects, India; Surani Sahabandu - Director Sales and Marketing, JAT Holdings Ltd; Prof. Lalith De Silva - Dean Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa; Archt. Jayantha Perera - Principal Architect; Archt. Mullerpatan Prasad Manohar - Senior Associate Architect, Hafeez Contractor Architects, India; Architect Bernard Gomez - Principal Architect, Bernard Gomez Architects

JAT was one of the title sponsors of the Building Specifiers’ Conference 2017 held recently at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo.

This well-attended conference gave construction professionals and policymakers a platform for valuable discussion on the importance of specifications and their implementation. The objective behind this event was to bring forth the points of view of all experts including specifiers with respect to the need for the right specifications to ensure quality buildings in Sri Lanka. 

The Building Specifiers’ Conference was inaugurated by eminent personalities from the construction industry such as Dr. Michael E. Joachim from the Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA); Chamber of Construction Industry President Deshabandu’ Archt./Plnr Dr. Surath Wickramasinghe; Design Consortium Founder Chairman Vidyajyothi Prof. Damian Norbert Lakshman Alwis; Past President Archt. Prof. Chitra Weddikkara, Dean Colombo School of Construction Technology; Sanken Construction Ltd. Managing Director Ranjith Gunathilake; Bernard Gomez Architects Principal Architect Bernard Gomez; Architect Channa Daswatte of MICD Associates; UDA Director General S.S.P. Rathnayake and Chairman (IDB) Mahinda Jinasena.

“We at JAT were honoured to be the title sponsor of this well-timed initiative to elevate the Sri Lankan construction industry to world-class standards. I was personally pleased that when I discussed the necessity of this project with Prof. Chithra Weddikara and Mr. Prem Anveshi they agreed and took this idea and made it a reality. Correct specifications can make or break a project. This is especially so in an environment like in Sri Lanka where the industry is flooded with many inferior alternatives. The availability of good and accurate specifications will act as a powerful tool to architects, designers and clients to ensure superior and timely project delivery,” said JAT Holdings Ltd. Managing Director Aelian Gunawardane. 

The focus of this conference was – ‘What are specifications?’, ‘Why are they important?’, ‘Are there different kinds of specifications?’, ‘Who should be involved in writing specifications?’, ‘What could go wrong with a specification?’, ‘Specification and estimation for achieving global standards in construction projects and value addition’, ‘Specification writing for civil construction’, ‘The importance of specifying in the construction projects’, ‘Pitfalls encountered in project management due to incorrect specifications’, ‘Uses of specification specifying techniques’, ‘Specification coordination’, ‘Guidance and operative procedure’, ‘Types of specifications available internationally’, etc.

With many eminent speakers, the conference was attended by a host of architects, engineers, project managers, quantity surveyors, builders, developers, contractors and academics and provided invaluable information for all involved in the building industry. 

Director Sales and Marketing of JAT Holdings Surani Sahabandu and General Manager (Factory) Charith Peramune spoke on ‘The importance of specifications when selecting coatings’. The conference concluded on a successful note after having provided much-needed impetus for those involved in the mainstream work of ensuring the development and futuristic growth of Sri Lanka.