LANKA ASSOCIATION OF BUILDING SERVICES ENGINEERS
The forming of Lanka Association of Building Services was initiated at a meeting held at the auditorium of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects on 30th May 2007. A group of about 40 were present and a unanimous decision was taken to form a Society / Association to improve the standard of building services in the country and elevate the status of the professionals engaged in Building Services. This was spearheaded by our founder President late Mr. Tissa Gunasena who is remembered with a sense of appreciation and gratitude.
The above was the first step in forming the Lanka Association of Building Services. Many discussions and meetings followed among a group of dedicated professionals as to how best the organisation could be set up. It was finally decided that an Association by the name of Lanka Association of Building Services Engineers (LABSE) be set up and registered as a non-profit organisation. The final objective however was to get the organisation established by an act of parliament.
LABSE was set up in 2009 with an interim committee. The Chartered Institute of Building Services UK was contacted and their blessings obtained to set up LABSE. In February 2010 the inaugural meeting to officially launch LABSE was held at the auditorium of JAIC Hilton.
From the very small beginning in 2010, LABSE has continued to grow and support the Building Services trade in the country. Facilitating the starting of a M Sc Course for Building Services at the University of Moratuwa was a very significant achievement. With the very close and cordial relationships maintained with CIBSE it was possible to get the M Sc program accredited by CIBSE, twice which incidentally may be a first in the country.
The membership of LABSE has grown to 100 in the last seven years which is a very clear indication of the interest and enthusiasm shown by all those involved in the building services trade. It is significant to note that LABSE has among its members Consultants, Designers, Contractors and end users representing different levels of professionals in the building services trade. LABSE has been very active in the last seven years where monthly evening member’s forums were conducted regularly and each year at least one half day seminar and a field visit had been conducted.
