Government & statutory bodies for the construction industry.

Ministry of Urban Development, Construction & Housing

The cabinet-level ministry responsible for urban development, the construction industry, and housing across Sri Lanka. Parent ministry for most of the bodies on this page.

Construction Industry Development Authority

The statutory regulator of the construction industry — successor to ICTAD. Maintains contractor registration and grading, publishes standard bidding documents, and sets industry rates. CIDA registration is required for government contracts.

State Engineering Corporation of Sri Lanka

The government-owned engineering and construction company. Delivers public building, infrastructure and civil engineering projects.

Urban Development Authority

The apex urban planning agency. Prepares development plans for declared urban areas, regulates land use, and approves buildings in UDA-declared zones (including most of the Western Province).

National Physical Planning Department

Prepares the National Physical Plan that frames regional and provincial planning. Coordinates inter-provincial infrastructure planning.

Urban Settlement Development Authority

Plans and implements settlement development projects in low-income and under-served urban areas.

Condominium Management Authority

Regulates condominium and apartment property — registration, common-area management, and disputes. Successor to the Common Amenities Board.

Sri Lanka Standards Institution

The national standards body. Publishes Sri Lanka Standards (SLS) and operates product certification including SLS Marks. ISO subsidiary member.

National Building Research Organisation

Provides building research, geotechnical investigation, landslide hazard mapping, and structural advisory services. NBRO clearance is required before construction on landslide-prone sites.

Building Materials Corporation Limited

State-owned supplier of construction materials. Operates as a benchmark and reference for materials pricing and quality.

National Housing Development Authority

Plans and implements public housing programmes. Provides housing loans, develops housing schemes, and runs the relocation programmes for under-served settlements.

Survey Department of Sri Lanka

Maintains the national survey system, topographic maps, and cadastral plans. The authoritative source for boundary plans and government surveys.

Land Commissioner General's Department

Administers state lands. Issues permits and grants for state land, and manages alienation, leases and dispositions.

Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation

Reclaims and develops marshland and low-lying areas. Manages flood detention works, canals and the lake systems in greater Colombo.

Registrar General's Department

Maintains the Land Registry — deeds, mortgages and title certificates. Where you go to register a title, a transfer or a mortgage.

Road Development Authority

Plans, builds and maintains national highways and expressways. Approves road frontages, access roads and crossings on national-grade roads.

Ceylon Electricity Board

The national electricity utility. Apply through CEB for new electricity connections, distribution upgrades, and clearance for any work near transmission lines.

National Water Supply & Drainage Board

The national water and sewerage utility. Apply for water connections, sewer connections (in sewered areas), and approvals for STPs and on-site sewage disposal.

Sri Lanka Telecom

National telecommunications infrastructure. Apply through SLT for fibre and copper connections; coordinate any work near telecoms ducting.

Irrigation Department

Manages national irrigation works, tanks, canals and water rights. Consult for any site that affects an irrigation reservation or canal corridor.

Sri Lanka Institute of Architects

The statutory body for architects. Registers Chartered Architects, sets the code of professional conduct, and publishes scales of fees and conditions of engagement.

Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka

The statutory body for engineers. Registers Chartered Engineers across civil, structural, electrical, mechanical and other disciplines; publishes professional guidance.

Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Sri Lanka

The professional institute for quantity surveyors. Registers Chartered Quantity Surveyors, publishes the QS scale of fees, and supports professional development.

Society of Structural Engineers Sri Lanka

Professional body for structural engineers. Publishes design guides for Sri Lankan conditions and convenes the annual structural engineering conference.

Institute of Town Planners Sri Lanka

Professional body for town and country planners. Registers Chartered Planners; sets practice standards for the planning profession.

Central Environmental Authority

The national environmental regulator. Issues Environmental Protection Licences (EPL), reviews Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA / IEE), and clears projects above prescribed thresholds.

Disaster Management Centre

Coordinates national disaster preparedness and response. Maintains hazard maps for flood, landslide, tsunami and storm exposure — useful at the site selection stage.

Colombo Fire Brigade / Department of Fire Services

Fire safety approvals for buildings in Colombo and elsewhere — fire alarm systems, hydrants, fire doors, sprinkler systems, evacuation plans. Required for most commercial and high-rise projects.

Coast Conservation & Coastal Resource Management Department

Regulates development within the coastal zone. Coastal permits are required for any construction within the prescribed setback from the shoreline.

Forest Department

Manages state forest land and protected areas. Consult for any site bordering, or affecting, a forest reserve or proposed conservation area.

Department of Archaeology

Protects archaeological sites and ancient monuments. Approval is required before any building work within an archaeological reserve or near a protected monument.

Central Cultural Fund

Manages and conserves the major cultural heritage sites — Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Kandy and others. Works closely with Archaeology and Buddhist Affairs.

Board of Investment of Sri Lanka

The investment-promotion agency. Operates the BOI-approved project regime with concessions, special zones, and a single-window approval process for qualifying projects.

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority

Registers and classifies tourist accommodation. SLTDA registration is required for hotels, guesthouses, and tourist-purpose construction.

Department of Local Government

The umbrella authority for Municipal Councils, Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas. Find your local council and the by-laws applicable in your area through here.

Colombo Municipal Council

The local authority for Colombo. Issues building permits, certificates of conformity (COC), trade licences, and refuse collection arrangements.

Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia Municipal Council

Local authority for Dehiwala and Mount Lavinia. Building permits and certificates of conformity for the area.

Kandy Municipal Council

The local authority for Kandy city — within a UNESCO World Heritage zone with additional heritage planning controls overlaying ordinary by-laws.

Galle Municipal Council

Local authority for Galle, including the Galle Fort heritage area with strict additional controls on alterations to historic structures.