Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka leads national dialogue on fire safety in buildings

• A national responsibility Sri Lanka can no longer ignore

Sri Lanka is witnessing a rapid transformation of its built environment. High-rise condominiums, commercial towers, hotels, hospitals, factories, and public buildings are rising across Colombo and other urban centres at an unprecedented pace. While this vertical development signals economic growth and modernisation, it also brings with it a critical and often underestimated risk: building fire safety.

Fire safety is not merely a technical or regulatory requirement—it is a fundamental public safety obligation. International experience has repeatedly shown that failures in fire safety planning, enforcement, and maintenance can turn otherwise manageable incidents into mass casualty disasters. Countries across the world have learned this lesson the hard way and responded with strict regulations, robust enforcement mechanisms, and continuous monitoring systems. 

Sri Lanka, however, remains dangerously exposed.

Recognising the growing risks, the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) recently convened a high-level workshop bringing together key stakeholders, including the Urban Development Authority (UDA), Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA), Condominium Management Authority (CMA), Disaster Management Centre (DMC), Fire Service Department, Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA), and engineering professionals from both the public and private sectors. The objective was clear: to examine existing gaps in Sri Lanka’s building fire safety framework and urgently draw the attention of the Government before a fatal incident forces reactive decision-making.

The discussions revealed serious systemic weaknesses. At present, fire safety responsibilities are fragmented across multiple institutions, with no single authority accountable for ensuring fire safety throughout a building’s entire lifecycle from design and construction to occupation and ongoing operation. While approval mechanisms exist at the planning stage, enforcement during construction, post-construction certification, and periodic inspections during building operation remain inconsistent and often ineffective.

A major concern highlighted was the absence of a centralised fire authority with clear jurisdiction and enforcement powers. Although the UDA is legally recognised as the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), it currently lacks the technical capacity to independently review fire safety designs and relies heavily on the Colombo Fire Department. This dependence, combined with gaps in on-site enforcement and monitoring, significantly weakens overall compliance.

The workshop also emphasised that fire risk assessments are often not conducted adequately at the initial design stage. International best practice clearly demonstrates that early-stage fire engineering input is essential to prevent costly and dangerous deficiencies later. Once buildings are occupied particularly high-rise condominiums rectifying fire safety defects becomes complex, expensive, and in some cases practically impossible.

Equally alarming is the lack of mandatory post-construction inspections and periodic certification. In many developed countries, annual or periodic fire safety certification is a legal requirement linked to occupancy permits and insurance coverage. In Sri Lanka, however, fire safety systems may remain untested, poorly maintained, or altered without oversight for years, placing occupants at serious risk.

Stakeholders also stressed the need for stronger coordination between regulatory bodies such as CIDA, UDA, Fire Services, and local authorities. The lack of institutional coordination has contributed to industry malpractices, inconsistent standards, and regulatory loopholes that compromise public safety.

Education and awareness emerged as another critical gap. Fire safety must not be viewed solely as a professional concern. Introducing fire safety education at school and university levels, combined with public awareness initiatives and practical simulations, can significantly improve preparedness and reduce loss of life.

The message from the workshop was unanimous and urgent: Sri Lanka must adopt a comprehensive, risk-based, lifecycle approach to building fire safety. This includes strengthening the legal framework, establishing a dedicated central fire safety authority, mandating regular inspections and certification, improving professional competency, and ensuring accountability across all stages of building development and operation.

IESL has formally initiated dialogue on this critical national issue and has committed to working with all relevant stakeholders to develop practical, implementable solutions. The institution has emphasised that fire safety is not merely a technical obligation, but a shared societal responsibility requiring cooperation between policymakers, professionals, regulators, industry, and the public.

Fire disasters do not announce their arrival. When regulatory weaknesses remain unaddressed, tragedy becomes only a matter of time. Sri Lanka still has an opportunity to act proactively to protect lives, safeguard investments, and ensure that urban development does not come at the cost of public safety. That opportunity must not be wasted.