01/04/2026
The Annual Session and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Institute of Town Planners, Sri Lanka (ITPSL), was successfully held under the theme “Cities in a Global Economy: Positioning Sri Lanka in the International Urban Network” on March 28, 2026, at Marino Beach Hotel, Colombo, in the presence of key stakeholders.
The event was graced by Hon. Minister Bimal Rathnayake, Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, as the Chief Guest, together with Hon. Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara, Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, and Prof. Wasantha Athukorala, Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (PGIHS), University of Peradeniya, who delivered the Guest Speech.
Distinguished attendees included the Chairman and Director General of the Urban Development Authority; the Director General of the National Physical Planning Department; the Municipal Commissioner of the Colombo Municipal Council; the Director, Center for Real Estate Studies, University of Sri Jayewardenepura; and the President and General Secretary of the Organization of Professional Associations (OPA). The Annual Session also brought together the general membership of the Institute, both physically and virtually.
Plnr. N.A.S.N. Nissanka, Immediate Past President of ITPSL, emphasized the need to integrate national economic planning with physical planning to achieve macroeconomic targets. He highlighted the significant role of planners in translating national development goals into local-level progress.
Hon. Minister Bimal Rathnayake highlighted the importance of participatory planning and the current government priority of developing a ten-town development programme as a strategic initiative aligned with the national policy, “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life.” Prof. Wasantha Athukorala emphasized the importance of economic analysis in the context of “From Debt Crisis to Urban Competitiveness: The Next Phase of Sri Lanka’s Economy.”
The Annual Session featured a panel discussion highlighting the critical role of cities in driving economic transformation, bringing together diverse perspectives from policy, academia, and industry. The panel comprised Mr. Inoka Perera - Sector Head of the Property industry at John Keells Group; Prof. Wasantha Athukorala, Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (PGIHS), University of Peradeniya; Mr. M. G. Hemachandra, Chairman of the Urban Development Authority; and Plnr. Prof. Upuli Perera, Director of the Center for Real Estate Studies, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The discussion was moderated by Plnr. Rohan Cooray, Climate Risk Analyst at the Climate Bonds Initiative. The panel explored key themes including economic dimensions, educational reforms, and policy-level changes required to strengthen Sri Lanka’s urban competitiveness in a global context.
Following the Annual Session, the 44th Annual General Meeting of ITPSL was held, chaired by the Immediate Past President, Mr. N.A.S.N. Nissanka. Key decisions were made, including the adoption of resolutions (CPD credits), and certificates were awarded to candidates who passed the Professional Practice Examination Part III (2024/2025).
The event concluded with the appointment of the new President, Mr. Y.A.K.G. Gunathilaka, and the new Council for the year 2026/2027.
