The Government has begun work on Sri Lanka’s first National Building Code, Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd.) said at a meeting at the Ministry of Defence on 8 October.
The National Building Research Institute, the Construction Industry Development Authority and the Urban Development Authority will jointly manage the project. The National Planning Department has approved it for 2026 to 2028, following Cabinet approval on 21 October 2025.
Sri Lanka has no single legally established building code. Designers currently rely on a mix of international standards, including Eurocodes, British Standards and Indian Standards, along with local regulations. Authorities say this can lead to inconsistencies in approvals and enforcement.
The code will cover 10 technical areas, including structural safety, fire safety and accessibility. It will also set out how building permits, inspections and enforcement are handled.
A consultancy firm will be chosen through competitive procurement, and the Ministry of Defence has called for Expressions of Interest. The assignment is expected to take 24 months and end with the code being gazetted.
