The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to speak on the Bill to establish the National Building Research Institute.

¶ 02 As the Hon. Deputy Minister stated, the National Building Research Organization was established in 1984 under the Ministry of Housing and Construction and later functioned under several ministries. In 2007 it was placed under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights; in 2022 Disaster Management moved under Defence, and NBRO’s subject followed.

¶ 03 We must not underestimate NBRO’s service. In 2006, UNDP entrusted NBRO with the Landslide Hazard Zonation Mapping project in Nuwara Eliya and Badulla; due to its success, it was extended to 10 more districts. NBRO has also addressed road-sector landslides. Now, through this Bill, we will establish the National Building Research Institute with legal authority.

¶ 04 With global warming and climate change, natural disasters are more frequent. Our people have suffered due to landslides and floods — displacement and loss of life. The NBRI will identify landslide-prone areas, provide technical guidance on ground stability for development and construction, and, with the legal framework of this Bill, fulfill its mandate effectively.

¶ 05 I drew the Deputy Minister’s attention to clause 12(1) and (2), which require owner’s consent to inspect hazardous lands/buildings. He has indicated an amendment will be brought. Prevention is better than post-disaster compensation.

¶ 06 The NBRI’s four key functions — identification, awareness, mitigation, and law enforcement — must be carried out effectively. With this law, officials will have defined responsibilities, and the public must also support the institution’s work. Thank you.