Dulux creates opportunity for Sri Lankan students at World Architecture Festival

Ms. K.D.R.S. De Silva - Best Student, University of Moratuwa

At the recently concluded Sri Lankan Architecture Awards 2015, held at the BMICH, three promising architecture students were given a golden opportunity to participate in the world’s largest architecture festival. This dream experience was made possible by Dulux, Sri Lanka’s leading provider of paints and coatings.

Adjudged winners at the Sri Lankan Institute of Architects (SLIA) Awards 2015, the three students – Damith Premathilaka who was adjudged Best Young Architect of 2015 from the SLIA, along with Maas Imad Asmone Faiham of the City School of Architecture (CSA), and Ms. K.D.R.S. De Silva of the University of Moratuwa who were judged Best Students at their respective institutions – will be among the first Sri Lankan students to attend the festival in Berlin Germany.

Damith Premathilaka - Best Young Architect, SLIA

Taking place from 16-18th November 2016 and comprising of an exhibition, conference and awards ceremony, the World Architecture Festival (WAF) festival will present an invaluable opportunity to witness and learn from some of the world’s most influential contemporary architects and network with colleagues, industry trendsetters and potential collaborators from across the globe.

Considered a gateway to the global profession, the WAF is where the world architecture community meets to learn and exchange ideas and be inspired. It is the only architecture event where keynote talks from the industry’s influential figures sit alongside live critical presentations and judging of over 350 award finalists, global networking and a 400 project strong gallery and international product exhibition.

Commenting on the significance of the event Mr. Gerald de Saram, Managing Director of the company behind the Dulux brand in Sri Lanka, AkzoNobel Paints Lanka Ltd, said: “We are very pleased to have given these three talented students the chance to participate in such a prestigious international festival for the very first time and I’m confident that they will be able to learn a great deal and be inspired to put that experience to work in Sri Lanka as well.

Maas Imad Asmone Faiham - Best Student,
 City School of Architecture

“Dulux and the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects have maintained a strong relationship for over a decade now and moving forward we hope to keep building on this relationship and continue to do our part to help produce even more talented Sri Lankan architects.”

In that context, he further confirmed that AkzoNobel Paints Lanka would aim to continue investments towards the further development of young talent in addition to its sponsorship of similar events in future.

Owners of the Dulux brand; the leading brand of paints in Sri Lanka, AkzoNobel is the world’s largest manufacturer of paints and coatings and is rated among the Global Fortune 500 Companies of the world.